AR Lenoble : Premier Cru Blanc de Noirs 2016

Tasting characteristics and advice for AR Lenoble’s Premier Cru Blanc de Noirs 2016

Tasting

Appearance

The wine displays a deep, intense golden hue, reflecting the richness of Pinot Noir and extended aging on fine lees.

Nose

The nose is rich and seductive, revealing intense aromas of candied mirabelle plums and dried yellow fruits. With aeration, notes of gingerbread and dried fruits emerge, accompanied by toasty, gently spicy nuances. Subtle smoky and menthol touches complete this complex bouquet.

Palate

The attack is lively and energetic, followed by a broad, velvety texture. The palate reveals aromas of ripe red fruits, notably cherry, alongside notes of brioche and pastry. The structure of the Pinot Noir expresses itself with breadth and precision, while a chalky, saline tension brings freshness. The total absence of dosage lends the whole a remarkable purity. The finish lingers long on saline and mineral accents, lifted by delicate notes of toasted hazelnut and pastry.

Food and wine pairings

This champagne pairs perfectly with foie gras, lobster roasted in butter, chicken supreme with morels, or roasted veal tenderloin. It also matches dishes such as pigeon with sweet spices, mushroom-based recipes, or a platter of aged cheeses such as Comté. As an aperitif, it pairs ideally with oysters and seafood.

Serving and cellaring

Premier Cru Blanc de Noirs 2016 is ideally served between 10 and 12°C. This champagne can be cellared until around 2026.

A Blanc de Noirs champagne of rare purity and minerality

The estate

Founded in 1920 by Armand-Raphaël Graser, an Alsatian wine merchant who came to Champagne during the First World War, the House of AR Lenoble has established itself as one of the region’s most distinguished artisan producers. Since 2023, the estate has been owned by Ségolène Frère-Gallienne, heir to a family deeply involved in the wine world, notably as co-owner of Château Cheval Blanc. The estate farms 18 hectares spread across three distinct terroirs: Chouilly (Grand Cru), Bisseuil (Premier Cru) and Damery. AR Lenoble stands out for its innovative perpetual reserve system with aging in magnum, and for its Haute Valeur Environnementale certification obtained as early as 2012.

The vineyard

This Blanc de Noirs comes exclusively from the Premier Cru village of Bisseuil, located in the Montagne de Reims. These vines thrive on chalk-rich soils that provide minerality and saline tension. These chalky terroirs promote optimal ripening of Pinot Noir while preserving the grapes’ natural freshness.

The vintage

The 2016 vintage in Champagne was marked by a challenging spring, with episodes of frost and hail that reduced yields. Despite these contrasting weather conditions, Pinot Noir achieved exceptional phenolic ripeness. Summer dryness concentrated aromas without excessive sugar accumulation, creating cuvées of great purity and fine balance.

Winemaking and aging

Fermentation of Premier Cru Blanc de Noirs 2016 takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, followed by full aging in wood in 50-hectoliter foudres and 228-liter barrels. The champagne then rests for nearly eight years on fine lees in the historic cellars of Damery. No dosage is added, allowing the wine to authentically express its terroir and vintage. Traditional pressing of the black grapes is carried out with care to preserve the purity of the juice.

Grape variety

100% Pinot Noir.