Dehours : Le Millésime 2018

Characteristics and tasting notes of the Le Millésime 2018 cuvée by Dehours

Tasting

Nose
The aromatic bouquet reveals itself as complex and evolving. It first unveils notes of orchard fruits such as ripe apple and pear, combined with hints of mirabelle plum, apricot and an exotic touch of banana. With aeration, secondary aromas of brioche, toasted almond and light caramel emerge.

Palate
The attack offers beautiful mineral precision supported by vibrant acidity. The texture is rich with a medium body, enhanced by a delicate and silky effervescence. The whole is perfectly balanced between richness and tension, extending into a finish of remarkable persistence.

Food and wine pairings
This cuvée pairs wonderfully with seafood, particularly oysters and raw shellfish, thanks to its mineral tension. It also brilliantly accompanies light poultry without cream sauce, as well as aged cheeses with character.

Serving and cellaring
To fully appreciate Le Millésime 2018, it is recommended to serve it at a temperature above 10°C in a large white wine glass. Decanting is entirely possible for this cuvée in order to release all of its aromas.

Other characteristics
This wine stands out for its profile combining richness and precision. Its dosage is very low, amounting to only 1.1 g/L. For the sake of transparency, the back label of each bottle specifies the bottling and disgorgement dates as well as the exact dosage.

The elegance and precision of a great Champagne by Dehours

The estate
Founded in 1930, Dehours is based in Cerseuil, in the heart of the Vallée de la Marne. This 14.5-hectare estate is now run by Jérôme Dehours, who took over the reins in 1996. Under his leadership, the property is devoted exclusively to the production of estate wines, showcasing the identity of its 42 plots. Certified for its high environmental values, this Champagne vineyard stands out for its authentic approach, favouring natural methods and an exceptional expression of the Meunier grape variety.

The vineyard
Located on the left bank of the Vallée de la Marne in Champagne, the estate stretches across a mosaic of plots with soils composed of clay and sand resting on a limestone bedrock. Vine work is carried out with the utmost respect for biodiversity, with natural grass cover between the rows and mechanical soil work, excluding any chemical approach.

The vintage
The 2018 year benefited from particularly mild weather conditions that were favourable to the development of the vine. These ideal weather conditions made it possible to obtain grapes of beautiful concentration, harvested from 3 September 2018.

Winemaking and aging
The making of the Le Millésime 2018 cuvée follows a philosophy of minimal intervention. Fermentations are triggered by indigenous yeasts and malolactic fermentation is carried out. Clarification takes place through natural decantation, without any fining or filtration. After bottling in June 2019, this cuvée benefits from extended aging on full lees for 76 months, thereby enhancing its texture and complexity.

Grape varieties
This blend is composed of 74% Meunier from the « Le Patis » plot and 26% Pinot Noir from the « Les Grèves » plot.