AR Lenoble : Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs V.20

Tasting characteristics and advice for the Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs V.20 by AR Lenoble

Tasting

Appearance

The wine reveals a golden hue with greenish highlights, lifted by a delicate, persistent effervescence.

Nose

The nose opens with notes of fresh citrus, accompanied by aromas of white flowers. A distinctive chalky minerality gradually emerges, enhanced by buttery and brioche nuances that add complexity.

Palate

On the palate, this champagne charms with its elegance and finesse. The bubbles, particularly delicate, accompany a creamy texture. The saline finish brings remarkable freshness and fine length.

Food pairings

This champagne pairs perfectly with oysters, fish or shellfish carpaccios, as well as delicate fish prepared with butter. It also goes beautifully with white meats in a light sauce and matches harmoniously with a lemon meringue tart.

Serving and cellaring

The Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs V.20 Non-vintage is best enjoyed at a temperature between 8 and 10°C.

A Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs combining minerality and complexity

The estate

Founded in 1920 by Armand-Raphaël Graser, AR Lenoble is a family-run, independent Champagne House based in Damery, in the Vallée de la Marne. In April 2023, on the occasion of the House’s centenary, the Frère-Gallienne family, through FG Bros, became the majority owner, while maintaining the involvement of Antoine Malassagne. Under the leadership of Guillaume Truchot and cellar master Julien Lardy, AR Lenoble continues its commitment to quality and respect for the environment, certified Haute Valeur Environnementale since 2012. The House stands out for its unique perpetual reserve system, with wines aged in magnums under cork.

The vineyard

This cuvée comes exclusively from the Grand Cru of Chouilly, located on the Côte des Blancs. The ten hectares of chardonnay owned by AR Lenoble rest on pure chalk soils, with predominantly east-facing exposures. This distinctive geology imparts a signature minerality and remarkable finesse. This Champagne vineyard is managed using environmentally friendly practices, with grass cover between the rows and soil cultivation that encourages deep vine rooting.

The blend

This Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs V.20 is made up of around 45% base wine from the 2020 harvest and 55% reserve wines from the House’s perpetual reserve system. Part of these reserve wines was aged in large oak vats and in magnums under cork, bringing complexity and aromatic depth.

Winemaking and aging

Winemaking for the Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs V.20 is carried out on a plot-by-plot basis, primarily in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks, with around 15% aged in oak barrels. Malolactic fermentation is blocked to preserve the wine’s natural freshness and acidity. After the secondary fermentation, the champagne benefits from extended aging of at least 54 months on slats before disgorgement, allowing complex aromas to develop and producing particularly fine bubbles.

Grape variety

100% chardonnay