Leclerc Briant : Abyss Rosé Extra Brut 2019

Characteristics and Tasting Notes for the Abyss Rosé Extra Brut 2019 Leclerc Briant

Tasting Notes

Color
The color reveals a carnelian hue, a translucent orange-tinted rosé with deep amber glints. A lively, delicate effervescence animates the glass, evoking the shimmer of small waves on a beach.

Nose
The nose reveals remarkable aromatic complexity, opening with citrus notes accompanied by a distinctive iodine dimension. This intoxicating tenderness blends berry aromas with marine nuances. With aeration, the bouquet evolves toward notes of violet, pistachio and biscuit, revealing exceptional olfactory depth.

Palate
On the palate, the effervescence proves finely creamy, offering a texture of great delicacy. The dry fruit character unfolds with refinement, while the fruit's generosity skillfully conceals the absence of dosage. A marine salinity brings freshness and elegance to the whole. The finish, marked by persistent minerality and saline sweetness, extends the tasting experience with distinction.

Food and Wine Pairing

This champagne pairs perfectly with seafood and shellfish, particularly oysters, lobster or shrimp. It also elegantly accompanies delicate fish and sophisticated seafood preparations.

Serving and Aging

The Abyss Rosé Extra Brut 2019 is best enjoyed at a temperature between 8 and 10°C.

Other Characteristics

Dosage: Extra Brut (zero dosage, no sugar added after disgorgement).

An Exceptional Rosé Champagne Aged Beneath the Waters of the Atlantic

The Estate

Founded in 1872 by Lucien Leclerc, the Leclerc Briant house settled in Épernay in 1955. A pioneer of organic viticulture as early as the 1950s, then biodynamic farming from 1990 onward, it stands today as one of the leading references in sustainable champagne production. Since 2012, the estate has been owned by Americans Denise Dupré and Mark Nunnelly, who continue this environmental commitment. Under the direction of Frédéric Zeimett and the oenological expertise of Hervé Jestin, Leclerc Briant cultivates fourteen hectares of vines classified as Grand Cru and Premier Cru, complemented by partnerships with certified organic or biodynamic winegrowers. The house stands out for its innovative approach and its respect for natural processes.

The Vineyard

The grapes for the Abyss Rosé Extra Brut 2019 come from Champagne terroirs renowned for their outcropping limestone subsoils. These plots, located within the Grand Cru and Premier Cru areas of Champagne, rest on chalk and limestone soils formed from ancient marine sediments. This geological composition creates a natural resonance with the sedimentary seabed of the Stiff bay, where the wine undergoes its underwater aging. The vines are farmed according to biodynamic principles, without the use of synthetic chemical products.

The Vintage

The 2019 vintage benefited from favorable climatic conditions in Champagne, allowing for optimal ripening of the grapes and the crafting of wines with beautiful generosity and remarkable balance.

Winemaking and Aging

After the 2019 harvest, the grapes were vinified and then bottled in June 2019. The Abyss Rosé Extra Brut 2019 first aged on lees in the house's cellars according to the traditional Champagne method. Disgorgement took place in July 2022, after approximately three years of aging. Immediately afterward, the bottles were transported to Brittany and immersed in October 2022 in the Stiff bay, off the island of Ouessant, at a depth of sixty meters. For eleven months, the champagne benefited from unique conditions: constant temperature, total darkness, absence of oxygen, balanced pressure and continuous agitation from marine currents. This underwater aging gives the wine its distinctive marine character, refined salinity and exceptional minerality.

Grape Varieties

Chardonnay (85%)
Pinot Noir vinified as red (15%)