Duval-Leroy : Fleur de Champagne Brut Premier Cru

Stacks of toast and roasted coffee on the nose here and, with a bit of aeration, also fresh apricot! A focused and structured palate with emphatic mousse and chalky acidity, this makes a bold statement, yet also has plenty of depth and a powerful, long finish. It may actually improve with a little more time in bottle. Drinkable now, but best from 2024.

The NV Brut Fleur de Champagne Premier Cru blends 70% Chardonnay and 30% Pinot Noir. A touch of reduction adds subtle smokiness on the opening. The palate is bright and lively with crisp freshness and a backdrop of chalk and blond toast highlighted by lemon. Tender, lively mousse supports this brightness and emphasizes the Chardonnay dominance, giving the wine an elegant, sophisticated, chalky vibe. Dosage is 5.7 grams per liter. (Lot L3025NG09) - Anne Krebiehl MW

Medium golden yellow with silver reflections. A ripe nose shows tropical fruit nuances of mango and papaya, plus honey and citrus, ripe apple, herbs and nuts. It's elegant on the palate and carried by a ripe, engaging acidity, supporting nuances of nuts and apples. Mineral and salty on the long finish, with a beautifully persistent mousse.

Beautiful non-vintage Brut, generous and complete, fruity, with a very balanced and harmonious length.

Predominantly based on Chardonnay from the Côte des Blancs, the NV Fleur de Champagne Premier Cru Brut is a very delicate and elegant Champagne with a beautiful bouquet of ripe white fruits, pineapples, butterscotch, nougat, brioche and fresh toast. The assemblage with Pinot Noir from the Montagne de Reims and the Marne Valley gives this lean, but impressively balanced Brut a full, round and well-structured taste; whereas the Chardonnay lends silkiness, finesse and a chalky freshness with lovely lemon and grapefruit flavors in the serious, but stimulatingly refreshing and grippy finish. Exclusively based on Grand and Premier Crus, this Fleur de Champagne is a highly recommended soprano aperitif that can easily match lighter, vegetable-based dishes, as well as fish, seafood and white meat. (My sample was from Lot L4183CG31 and according to Duval-Leroy was disgorged in July 2014.)