Grande Reserve Grand Cru Champagne, Andre Roger, France

Description

Tasting notes: The nose is very powerful, dominated by aromas of fruits in pastry, stewed apricot, with frank notes of sugared almond. Slight notes of pepper and aniseed. On the palate, the feeling is very ample and long, with remaining pastry feeling, ending on a spicy note.

Food matching: Perfect on its own or a treat with oysters

Production:  This family owned domain is located in the village of Aÿ in the Grande Vallée de la Marne with vines planted on white chalk soil with belemnite fossils, or on calcareous and sedimentary soils.

Most of the vineyards are listed as 100% Grand Cru. In the vineyard the methods used are faithful to the Champagne tradition while using modern techniques to improve quality.

The philosophy of minimum intervention is applied at all times allowing the soils to express their full potential. In the vineyards, great care is taken with the soils, and in several plots grass is grown between the rows, which helps lessen the use of chemical weed killers. The implementation of a softer approach to viticulture requiring fewer fertilizers and chemicals as well as green harvesting in some delicate plots give them better control of the yields.

The hand harvested grapes are brought to the winery in Aÿ where they are gently pressed before a cool fermentation. The reserve wine which makes up about a fifth of the final blend has been aged on its lees in large oak “Foudres” to add richness and complexity for 15 to 18 months.

Oak Treatment:  20 months / 20% wine oaked in French barrel

Varietal: Pinot Noir 75% , Chardonnay 25%

ABV:  12%