Jean Vesselle Pur B3 Blanc de Blancs de Bouzy Grand Cru Brut Nature 2014
Growers of ripe, expressive Bouzy wines and advocates of no dosage since 1975
Grape Makeup:
100% Chardonnay
Sweetness Level:
Brut Nature
Ageing on Lees:
6 years
Price:
$$ (V)
Cellar:
Up to 5 years
Category:
Culinary
Photos
What
A historic name in the village of Bouzy, vine growers for nearly 300 years and advocates of no-dosage since 1975; particularly known for its unusual “Oeil de Perdrix” that straddles Blanc de Noirs and Rosé.
Where
Bouzy, Montagne de Reims; 15 hectares split between Bouzy and the Côte des Bar, 90% pinot noir.
Why
Given Vesselle is a pinot specialist, tasting their chardonnay from Bouzy offers a different perspective on both the grape and the terroir, showing how the latter sculpts the former into something altogether more structured and meaty.
What Else
Look out for the Petit Clos bottling, which comes from one of the smallest of Champagne’s rare clos (walled vineyards). Pure pinot noir is fermented in oak from local forests and ages on lees for a decade.
Tasting Notes
The nose trends a little nutty and oxidative with evident macadamia nut and milk toffee creaminess, sweet butter biscuit and yellow apple fruit. Yellow apple dominates the entry, but with a savoury and saline edge, which becomes more marked through the middle where the acidity really picks up as well. Phenolics appear in a broad strip from the front palate to the back. Acidity resonates on the finish along with a more Meyer lemon fruit tonality, finally giving way to really meaty, savoury yeast notes with a hint of barley sugar sweetness.
Try It With
Rich starch courses with creamy or nutty flavours like baked pasta.
When To Drink
Main course.
Perfect For
The contrarian, who thinks the French make better pasta.
TL/DR
Creamy, ripe and saline.
Supplier
Deco Wines
