The colour is medium straw, the perlage fine and persistent. On the nose citrus and green apple. In the mouth citrusy, with an aftertaste that last for quite a while.
This Champagne Premier Crus is a blend of 51% Petit Meslier, 46% Chardonnay and 3% Arbanne.
Arbanne is a rare white-wine grape variety, most likely the least-known of the seven grape varieties that can be used to make Champagne. The main reason probably being that it is a tricky grape variety to grow in the vineyard.
The wines are elevated in oak and spend at least 10 months on the lees. This champagne is a brut nature, meaning that no liqueur d’expedition has been added. It is made by Jean-Philippe Trousset in Les Mesneux, in the heart of the Montagne de Reims, using grapes from the nearby Sacy terroir.
For this bottle I paid 77 EUR at Les Caves du Forum in Reims and drank it in front of the Cathedral the day I completed the 2000 km walk of the Via Francigena.
Country: France
Region: Champagne
Grapes: Petit Meslier, Chardonnay, Arbanne
Type: Sparkling
Vintage: N/A
Producer: Philippe Trousset
Price range: Extra (50-100 US$)
Pascal’s Enjoyment Index: 3/5