Rémi Leroy Extra Brut Blanc de Noirs 2018

Grape Makeup:

100% Pinot Noir

Sweetness Level:

Extra Brut

Ageing on Lees:

2.5 years

Price:

$$

Cellar:

Up to 5 years

Category:

Culinary

What

A natural-leaning grower estate in the Côte des Bar lead by Bordeaux-trained agricultural engineer and oenologist Leroy, who now vinifies a third of the crop at his family estate.

Where

Meurville, Côte des Bar; 9 hectares, 70% pinot noir, 20% chardonnay, ~10% meunier.

Why

The wines are made by focusing on complete ripeness – not too challenging in the generous 2018 vintage – allowing Leroy to keep dosage levels low for a decidedly savoury effect. The resultant wines have a hedonistic, vinous bent with the full spectrum of fruit flavours on offer, from taut citrus to red and dark berries. A combination of oak and stainless steel fermentation has further teased out a spectrum of flavours from fresher fruit to more gourmand nuances.

What Else

The Blanc de Quatre Cépages 2014 uses the usual suspects plus pinot blanc from a single site planted with old vines, Mer sur Mont. The wine is umami-rich, with bitter lemon and struck match nuances on the nose but a more classical profile on the palate,

Tasting Notes

Dark berries on the nose mingle with mushroom and cinnamon, subtle marron glacé nuttiness and sourdough toast. Slightly tighter in its aromatics on the palate, this shows a refined conifer forest sharpness to begin, driving into grapefruit and toast points.  Wild strawberry returns on the back, along with a grounding earthiness.  Acidity is medium throughout, never really protruding, while texture is very clean (delicately oily if anything).

Try It With

Anything that would be complemented by either mushrooms or chestnuts: for example, galbi jjim or lap cheong.

When To Drink

Main course

Perfect For

The wine geek friend who mainly drinks Beaujolais and Etna.

TL/DR

Earthy, sylvan and grounded.

Supplier

Deco Wines