LeclercBriantMillesimeExtraBrut2016

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.rrWeather: The 2016 vintage was not without its challenges. There was frost in late spring and very low temperatures in the vineyards, followed by a wet May, June and July, which increased the threat of disease. Thankfully August was warm and dry, which saved the crop, and harvest began on schedule in September. Fruit-forward, lush wines with vibrant acidity.rrTechnical Information:rVineyards: 100% Premier Cru | Verzenay, Cumières, Hautvillers, Trépail, Bisseuil & Rilly La Montagne.rGrape Varieties: 50% Pinot Noir, 35% Chardonnay & 15% MeunierrLees Ageing: 5 yearsrBottling date: July 2017rDisgorged: March 2022rDosage: 3 g/lrProduction: 5,932 BottlesrDrink: Now to 2030rrTasting Note: On the deliciously fruity nose, sweet raspberries meet ripe apple, kumquat and yellow plums. A fruit basket, really, but there are also peach stones and earthy-spicy qualities. The palate is rather structured, and you can feel the oak impact a little more. Lovely vinosity and freshness continuing until the long, dry finish. â€?Tasted by Essi Avellan MWrrWatch Nick’s video tasting review of this champagne here.