This minerally Champagne is balanced and fresh, with a fine, lively bead and subtle flavors of Asian pear, pastry and pickled ginger. A light toastiness shows on the finish.
A rich, Chardonnay-driven blend that spends three years on the lees, this shows very pleasant floral notes, ripe apple and citrus fruit and a creamy texture and a soft yet lively mousse and good persistence.
A fresh, clean champagne with sliced apple, pear and lots of mineral character. Full to medium body, crisp acidity and a long finish. Lots of citrus undertones. Bright and steely. This is mostly 2009, with the remainder from reserve wines. Four years on the lees. This is very focused. 50% chardonnay and 50% pinot noir.
A firm Champagne, with a lively bead and a minerally undertow, this offers flavors of fresh-cut apple, lemon pith, spring blossom and smoke. Moderate finish.
Light gold. Lees-accented orchard and citrus fruit aromas are complicated by sweet butter, iodine and smoky minerals. Dry and expansive on the palate, offering lively pear and melon flavors and a refreshingly bitter touch of orange pith. Ample but lithe brut, with very good finishing punch and repeating smoke and pear qualities.
Henriot’s NV Brut Souverain Disg. 4/2012 offers a delightfully crunchy-yet-creamy, slaw-like amalgam of fresh apple, celery root, grapefruit and almond, to which a whiff of elder flower adds aromatic allure. The lush mid-palate takes a faintly oily turn even as tart citricity wells up with greater impact, leading to a luscious finish that irresistibly urges one take the next sip. I fancy this being best enjoyed over the coming year.
A hint of thyme and chive perks up the melon and grapefruit flavors in this crisp white. ending with a mouthwatering finish.
This is really delicious with sliced green apple, stone and melons. Medium to full body. Crisp finish. Focused.
A fresh, steely version, displaying apple, lemon and mineral flavors. Fades quickly, but has a fine sense of place.
The 2015 Champs Royaux bottling is produced from purchased grapes, but shares the fine bounce and mineral undertow of the domaine bottlings from William Fèvre this year. The nose is pure and stylish, wafting from the glass in a mix of apple, a touch of tangerine, flinty minerality and spring flowers. On the palate the wine is full-bodied, pure and juicy, with fine focus and impressive backend grip and energy. A lovely example.
