LECLERC BRIANT, Réserve Brut. Champagne

Bin: 42

Alcohol Percentage: 12.5%

Area: Leclerc Briant are based in Epernay. Grapes for this wine come from organic and biodynamic vineyards across the Champagne region.

Grape Variety: 40% Pinot Noir, 40% Pinot Meunier, 20% Chardonnay, all from the 2014 vintage (but, curiously, not labelled as a vintage wine), part oak fermented, disgorged in February 2019; just 4g residual sugar (so, a very dry style).

Producer: From their website:
"Founded in the village of Cumières in 1872 by Lucien Leclerc, the business moved, in 1955, to the premises it still occupies today in Chemin de la Chaude Ruelle in Epernay.
In 2012 Leclerc Briant was saved from oblivion when it was acquired by Mark Nunelly and Denise Dupré, an American couple who are great enthusiasts of the French ‘art de vivre’ and who fell in love with the nonconformist character of the House."

Old Bridge Rating: A classic example of top quality grower's Champagne. Drier and fresher than the more commercial styles of most of the big houses, this has the backbone and minerality of a very serious dry white (still) wine (think Chablis or dry Rheingau Riesling).