Disgorged November 2019
70% base vintage 2017, 30% reserve solera
7 g/l dosage
Co-equal blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir
Avg age of vines: 40 years
Terroir: 35% Ludes (chalk), 30% Ormes (sand), 25% Mareuil-le-port (clay), 10% Trépail (chalk).
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Upon pouring, the wine exhibits the most beautiful copper hue that I've ever seen in a champagne.
With time in the glass, an attractive nose of peach and toasted almond emerges.
A fine opening mousse greets your palate and kicks off the symphony of flavor. There is a striking finesse to the wine, with nice acidity balancing the citrus component from the Chardonnay, the raspberry component from the Pinot Noir and the earthier fruit component from the Pinot Meunier. Oh my, this is lovely stuff....
The 7 g/l dosage works perfectly for this vintage to compose the wine. There's really no overt sweetness, just a delicious interplay of the composite varietals, each making their own unique contribution to this classy wine.
This effort from the Bérêche brothers illuminates their masteful blending skills, providing an excellent example of why great champagne can be so much more than just the sum of its parts.
Additional Producer notes can be found here: https://lestastevinsdulac.blogspot.com/2020/02/2010-bereche-et-fils-le-cran.html?m=1
Highly recommended. Paired deliciously with tempura-fried lobster tail.
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Postscript
I inquired at Bérêche et Fils about the beautiful copper color of the wine. Here is the kind and informative response received directly from Raphaël Bérêche:
"About the NV Brut Reserve it is not a skin contact champagne. You know, it is strictly forbiden in Champagne.
It is just ripe grapes with delicate pressing from Coquard press.
And no filtration, precise respect of wine with only 3 pumping.
Also, we do a long ageing on lees (important for the aromas, texture and body)
So, no modern winemaking, no new wave natural winemaking ... only the tradition! "
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