Dehours : Lieu-Dit "La Croix Joly"

Tasting Notes and Characteristics of Lieu-Dit "La Croix Joly"

Tasting

Appearance
A subtle hue oscillating between pale gold and light salmon.

Nose
The aromatic bouquet is complex, blending notes of warm butter, brioche and small red fruits with hints of citrus, dry mineral extracts and ripe plum. With aeration, floral scents, dried flowers and ginger reveal themselves with elegance.

Palate
The texture is silky, carried by an effervescence of great finesse. This vinous wine offers a beautiful breadth on the mid-palate, perfectly balanced by a structuring acidity that brings tension and freshness through to a persistent finish.

Food and wine pairings
This cuvée pairs wonderfully with seafood and shellfish such as lobster or crab. It also accompanies fine poultry with precision, as well as culinary preparations featuring mushrooms or truffles.

Serving and cellaring
To fully appreciate Lieu-Dit "La Croix Joly", it is recommended to serve it in a large white wine glass at a temperature above 10°C. Decanting is entirely possible to encourage the expression of its aromas.

A fresh Champagne with beautiful persistence

The estate
Founded in 1930, Champagne Dehours & Fils is located on the left bank of the Marne Valley. Today led by Jérôme Dehours, who took over in 1996, the estate spans a 14.5-hectare vineyard divided into 42 plots. The estate stands out for its environmentally respectful approach, certified High Environmental Value, and its commitment to showcasing Meunier. The house's philosophy rests on the authentic expression of each microclimate through meticulous plot-by-plot vinifications.

The vineyard
The La Croix Joly plot is located on the Troissy terroir, in Champagne. Reaching around 120 metres in altitude, this mid-slope vineyard enjoys a north-west exposure. The old vines, derived from massal selection, yield very low quantities. The soil consists of a very thin layer of topsoil about twenty centimetres deep, resting on decarbonation clays. The subsoil is characterised by very clayey light sands, overlying a limestone slab and very stony limestone lenses.

The blend
In order to transcend the effect of a single year and fully express the identity of the plot, this cuvée is based on the principle of a perpetual reserve started in 2013. It thus blends several successive harvests to allow the wine to reach its own balance.

Vinification and ageing
The fermentation of Lieu-Dit "La Croix Joly" takes place in 200, 300 and 500-litre barrels. The wine then benefits from ageing on lees in large oak foudres. To preserve all its authenticity, clarification is carried out naturally, without any fining or filtration.

Grape variety
100% Meunier.