Joseph Perrier : Les Chalmonts Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs 2020

Characteristics and Tasting Tips for Chalmonts Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs 2020 by Joseph Perrier

Tasting

Color
The color reveals a bright, very pale gold hue, verging on lemon yellow with greenish highlights. The effervescence is particularly fine and steady, forming a delicate, creamy mousse.

Nose
The bouquet opens with great freshness, blending citrus notes of lemon and grapefruit zest with floral touches of hawthorn and acacia. A mineral, chalky dimension lends verticality, before giving way, upon aeration, to aromas of white-fleshed fruit and subtle brioche nuances.

Palate
The attack is lively and precise, carried by a lovely acidic tension. The mid-palate reveals a creamy texture, the result of patient aging on the lees, which balances perfectly with the minerality of the terroir. The finish, long and saline, unfolds with noble bitter notes evoking fresh almond and citrus zest.

Food and Wine Pairing

This finely chiseled cuvée is superb with seafood, whether raw shellfish, sashimi, oysters, or noble crustaceans such as lobster and langoustine. It also pairs wonderfully with delicate poultry in a light cream sauce, asparagus risottos, or young, lightly aged hard cheeses such as a young Comté.

Service and Storage

To fully appreciate the complexity of the Les Chalmonts Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs 2020 cuvée, it is recommended to serve it at a slightly higher temperature than a classic sparkling wine, allowing its aromas to fully express themselves.

A Single-Vineyard Blanc de Blancs of Great Purity by Joseph Perrier

The Estate

Founded in 1825 in Châlons-en-Champagne, the House of Joseph Perrier stands out for its historic roots and its superb chalk cellars. Today, at the helm of the estate, CEO Benjamin Fourmon carries on the independent spirit of this family-owned brand. With 23 hectares of its own vineyards cultivated using sustainable viticulture, the House crafts wines of great precision. Straying from the beaten path in Champagne, it champions a meticulous, plot-by-plot approach, perfectly illustrating the richness of its terroirs through elegant, distinctive wines.

The Vineyard

This wine comes from a micro-plot of 50 ares (referenced AB302) located in Cumières, a village classified as Premier Cru in the Marne Valley, in Champagne. Ideally nestled on a hillside and at the edge of a forest, the vines benefit from optimal sun exposure and excellent natural ventilation. The estate applies the principles of sustainable viticulture here, promoting biodiversity and respect for the chalky soils.

The Vintage

The year 2020 proved to be very favorable overall. Weather conditions allowed the berries to reach excellent physiological ripeness, while retaining the fine acidic balance essential to crafting a wine that is both fresh and structured.

Winemaking and Aging

In order to faithfully reflect the expression of its terroir of origin, the harvest from this unique plot is vinified separately. The Les Chalmonts Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs 2020 cuvée then undergoes a long aging period on the lees in bottle, giving it its creamy texture, while its very low dosage preserves the fruit's purity and natural tension.

Grape Variety

100% Chardonnay