Deutz : Amour de Deutz 2010

Deutz's newly released 2010 Brut Millésimé Amour de Deutz is very pretty, wafting from the glass with scents of citrus zest, white flowers, brioche and hazelnuts. Medium-bodied, pillowy and incisive, with a chiseled core of fruit, racy acids and a pinpoint mousse, it's a bright, fine-boned wine that represents a fine success in a rather challenging vintage.

Lots of rich fruit. Dense, round and creamy, it’s full with lots going on. Fine bubbles. Nicely done for 2010 blanc de blancs. Mostly Mesnil and Avize with a touch from other sites. Drink now.

Clear glass bottle. Grand Cru ingredients are 41% Avize, 38% Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, 9% Oger, 5% Cramant supplemented by some Premier Cru fruit from the Montagne de Reims; 7% Villers-Marmery. According to The Finest Bubble, this is 100% Chardonnay, disgorged December 2018 with a dosage of 8 g/l, but it doesn't say Blanc de Blancs on the label! Mind you, 2010 was generally pretty rubbish for Pinot Noir. Certainly very fresh and revitalising. Only just off dry. Good balance and very bright fruited and vigorous. Served alongside another 2010 Blanc de Blances, from Thiénnot, this seems slightly sweet! But impressively long. (JR)

The 2010 Brut Millésimé Amour de Deutz is a hard wine to taste, as the aromatics are unfocused and muddled to the point of making the wine unenjoyable. The shortcomings of this challenging harvest are impossible to escape.