Telmont : Réserve Brut

Well-spiced and fragrant, offering flavors of ripe raspberry and cherry fruit, ginger biscuit, chalk and blanched almond accented by a rich hint of Grand Marnier liqueur. Bright and focused, with a satinlike mousse. Pinot Meunier, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Disgorged 2022. Drink now. 20,273 cases made, 6,000 cases imported.

The flagship from the revitalised Telmont house has a silky floral cast to the bright nectarine and pear aromas. The texture is rich, with balanced acidity, a fine mousse and plenty of finesse on the lingering finish. With four years on the lees, there is a very pleasant toasty yeast quality without any heaviness. The grapes are mainly from the Marne Valley (nearly half from Damery), with grapes from well-known villages such as Avize and Vertus completing the blend. 2017 base wine.

The NV Brut Réserve is a blend of 53% Pinot Meunier, 31% Chardonnay and 16% Pinot Noir; 65% of the base wines are from 2018, 12% from 2017 and 2016 each, while 11% are from older vintages. This is Telmont's only Champagne that undergoes malolactic conversion. The nose is creamy, with hints of melted butter, Mirabelle and apricot-glazed viennoiserie. The creamy palate shows very fine mousse, and is fresh and bright. Slender, elegant, lovely. Dosage is 5 g/L. Disgorged: Q2 of 2022. - Anne Krebiehl MW

Produced from 53% Meunier, 31% Chardonnay, and the rest Pinot Noir, the NV Champagne Reserve Brut is based on the 2018 vintage (63%) with 12% from 2017, 12% from 2016, 2% from 2015, and the rest from older vintages. Comprising 80% of the house’s production, it pours a youthful yellow and lifts with aromas of quince, almond, white flowers, and a flourish of smoky earth. Generous on the palate, it’s fruity and inviting, with ripe orchard fruit, a gently fluffy mousse, and a fresh, pithy finish. Its lovely custardy and floral finish is long-lasting and takes this up a notch. It’s perfect for drinking over the next several years. 5 grams per liter of dosage.

Generous Champagne, with broad fruit, slightly on fresh apple and lemon acidity.