LeclercBriantMillesimeExtraBrut2019

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 in 2019: Following a mild and wet winter, spring temperatures were well above seasonal norms, allowing the vines to quickly develop. Then, the warm, dry summer allowed the grapes to ripen with extraordinary quality and quantity. The 2019 harvest saw cooler nights, wo while you have plenty of ripeness this helped maintain freshness in the grapes and the champagne are looking very elegant and with a certain characteristic 2019 tension.rrTechnical Information:rVineyards: 100% Premier Cru | Verzenay, Cumières, Hautvillers, Trépail, Bisseuil & Rilly La Montagne.rGrape Varieties: 70% Pinot Noir, 30% ChardonnayrLees Ageing: 5 yearsrBottling: June 2020rDisgorged: January 2025rDosage: 1.8 g/lrDrink: Now to 10 Years +rrTasting Note: A lovely sense of buttery apple tart spreads gently and shyly on the nose, with fresh, tart apple overtones. The palate is beautifully fine, fresh and balanced, again recalling apple tart with superb freshness and a textural, creamy element that is wonderfully pliable. Everything comes together beautifully.- Tasted by Anne Krebiehl MW