The colour is medium gold, the perlage very fine and persistent. On the nose delicate, with aromas of grapefruit, orange and apricot. In the mouth also delicate, with a pleasant freshness and minerality. The aftertaste is medium long.
Julien Prélat’s Champagne Blanc de Blancs Presle is composed of 100% Chardonnay from vineyards situated on kimmeridgian soil (a mix of limestone and clay) rich in marine fossils, situated in the village of Celler-sur-Ouce, in the Côtes des Bar. The dégorgement was made in March 2024. It is an Extra Brut, with 4g/l of sugar added.
The Côte des Bar is located southeast of the city of Troyes, in the southern part of the Champagne production area. Crisscrossed by small valleys that connect with those of the Seine and Aube, the Côte des Bar encompasses a patchwork of vineyards with many different exposures.
While a few Côte des Bar producers were founded in the 19th century, traditionally most growers sold their grapes to big Champagne houses, and the region has been treated as second class for decades.
The 21st century saw some risk takers starting to make their own wines and push towards a culture of artisanal, experimental, terroir-driven Champagne.
The vineyard area of Côte des Bar has grown by nearly 20% since 2000 and now makes up almost a quarter of the entire Champagne region.
I drunk this bottle with my wife at the of September to officially mark the end of our moving to the penthouse we bought at the end of June.
For this bottle I paid 35 EUR at Les Caves du Forum in Reims.
Country: France
Region: Champagne
Grapes: Chardonnay
Type: Sparkling
Vintage: 2022
Producer: Julien Prélat
Price range: Premium (30-50 US$)
Pascal’s Enjoyment Index: 3/5