LeclercBriantGrandBlancBlancdeBlancsBrutZero2014

There have been five successive generations of Leclerc’s, beginning with Lucien Leclerc in 1872 in the village of Cumiéres. In 1955, the house moved to the current premises it still occupies today in Épernay. In 2012, Leclerc Briant was saved from extinction when it was acquired by American couple Mark Nunelly and Denise Dupré, who fell in love with the nonconformist character of the House. They quickly appointed Hervé Jestin as Chief Winemaker and Frédéric Zeimatt as General Manager, two individuals with extensive experience in the industry. Leclerc Briant are renown winemaking pioneers, having been one of the first producers to stop using chemical fertilisers and to experiment with biodynamic vine cultivation back in the 1970s, and being one of the first houses to introduce single vineyards champagnes in the early 1990s. Today the entire vineyard is certified as organic and biodynamic. In addition, all the champagnes released onto the market are certified as vegan. The Maison own 14 hectares and buy grapes from another 15 hectares, both of which are farmed organic or biodynamic.rrThe goal at the House of Leclerc Briant is to create and market unique champagnes with an innovative style through a combination of meticulous attention to detail in both the vineyard and the winery, together with the utmost care of, and respect for, Mother Nature and the Terroirs. The wine is settled naturally and is not filtered and is suitable for vegans.The juice is fermented in small oak barrels and doesn’t receive dosage or sulphites. The wine is bottled with lower sugar than normal so the bottle fermentation produces a champagne at around 5 bars of pressure rather than the typical 6 bars. This gives a smaller bubble and gently mousse, making it even more ideal to match with food.rrWeather: 2014 was characterised by mild temperatures and frequent rainfall and a few weeks of high temperatures, a very solid vintage with good ripeness and acidity. Flowering began in June and summer was a combination of dry, wet and cold spells. Some regions saw some disease and Meunier in the Marne Valley didn’t have a great year and some of the Pinot Noir with its thinner skin made it more difficult for the red grapes. Harvest took place from 8th to 20th September. A year where it was necessary to select the red grapes carefully to maintain high quality. In general Chardonnay is the star of the vintage.rrTechnical Information:rVineyards: 100% Grand Cru | Chardonnay: Côte des BlancsrGrape Varieties: 100% ChardonnayrAgeing: 6 years on the leesrVintage: 2014rDisgorged: December 2020rDosage: 0 g/l & zero added sulphitesrDrink: Now for 3-4 yearsrrTasting Note: There is intense rich, ripe yellow fruits, citrus and toasty pineapple with a twist of oak spice and on the palate this builds more fresh pastry, buttery pastry, meringue and great freshness from minerality and a strong saline twist. Long & lingering finish.