It’s always great to be able to present new excitiing bubbles in The CHAMPAGNEBAR by Richard Juhlin. This week it’s time for Charles Dufour from Landreville in Aube.
sa CHARLES DUFOUR ‘LA CHEVÊTRÉE BLANC de BLANCS′ | Landreville | Champagne | France | 100CH | Swedish & Danish importer: Rosforth & Rosforth | about 45€ | BJpoints 91(93)
TASTING NOTE ‘Base wine from 2010. The vineyard covers 0.8344 ha. The terroir: argilo-calcaire du jurassique. Natural débourbage for 24 hours. Both the alcoholic and malolactic fermantation took place in 3 year old 228-litres Pièce from tonnellerie Vicard. Battônage was done once to twice a day since Juin 2011. The 12th of Octobre 2011 the wine got an addition of liqueur « au demi » (cane sugar and wine from the vintage) of 23gr/litre. The total production of 414 bottles where disgorged the 20th of February 2013 without dosage and sulphur added. Chardonnay from Aube does not belong among the commonplace. This wine is mellow and rounded with mature, sun-warmed fruitiness and fairly high concentration. The Champagne is easy to like, it’s really charming from the start in the glass. The creamy soft texture and minerality balances perfectly with the youthful and distinct acidity.’
sa CHARLES DUFOUR ‘LE CHAMP du CLOS BLANC de BLANCS′ | Landreville | Champagne | France | 100 PINOT BLANC | Swedish & Danish importer: Rosforth & Rosforth | about 45€ | BJpoints 88(90)
TASTING NOTE ‘Base wine from 2010. Pinot Blanc or Pintot Vrai as the growers like to call it. The vineyard covers 0.323 ha. The terroir: argilo-calcaire du jurassique. Natural débourbage for 24 hours. Both the alcoholic and malolactic fermantation took place in 3 year old 228-litres Pièce from tonnellerie Vicard. Battônage was done once to twice a day since Juin 2011. The 12th of Octobre 2011 the wine got an addition of liqueur « au demi » (cane sugar and wine from the vintage) of 22gr/litre. The total production of 1 716 bottles where disgorged the 20th of February 2013 without dosage and sulphur added. Blanc de blancs from Aube are rarities. Broad, smoky and licorice-soaked nose. A vigorous fruit completes the weight of the flavour.’
sa CHARLES DUFOUR ‘LE HAUT de GUIGNELLE BLANC de NOIRS′ | Landreville | Champagne | France | 100PN | Swedish & Danish importer: Rosforth & Rosforth | about 45€ | BJpoints 92(94)
TASTING NOTE ‘Base wine from 2011. The vineyard covers 1.2352 ha. The terroir: argilo-calcaire du jurassique. Natural débourbage for 24 hours. Both the alcoholic and malolactic fermantation took place in 3 year old 228-litres Pièce from tonnellerie Vicard. Battônage was done once to twice a day since Juin 2011. The 5th of December 2012 the wine got an addition of liqueur « au demi » (cane sugar and wine from the vintage) of 23gr/litre. The total production of 642 bottles where disgorged the 20th of February 2013 without dosage and sulphur added. Beautiful flowery notes on the nose which makes You think of a biodynamic grower champagne. Rich and bold structure that makes You think of how Egly-Ouriet started out.’
BJ ON CHARLES DUFOUR Exciting newcomer that we have been tipped off by our sommelier colleague from the infamous Noma in Copenhagen: Pontus Elofsson. Charles Dufour is 30 years old and comes from Landreville in Aube. He took over 5 ha from his father and put into biodynamics, but is certified organic. Uses minimal sulfur (5 mg / l). He grows Pinot Noi , Chardonnay and a surprisingly large percentage of Pinot Vrai (Pinot Blanc) . It is primarily cuvée Bulles de Comptoir Extra Brut ( Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc , Chardonnay ) that there are lots of right now. It’s only the second time he makes this cuvée – hence the name ‘# 2′. BTyhe basewinet is from 2010. This is quickly becoming a smash hit. The first vintage was sold out really fast, so Rosforth & Rosforth, the Danish & Swedish importer) yelled loudly and said they wanted all they could get. This resulted in that they got 3000 bottles ‘Bulles de Comptoir’ , compared with the USA 240 bottles. Guess if we are happy about that ! Other exciting wines which we should see this spring: NW (’10) Avalon Blanc de Blancs (Chardonnay) Brut Nature & NW (’10) Le Champ de Clos Blanc de Blancs (Pinot Blanc) Brut Nature 34.
