Jean Vesselle Millesime Brut Champagne 2012

(Winemaker: Delphine Vesselle)

IMPORTER NOTES:

BLEND: 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay

VINEYARDS: Estate-owned, 100% grand cru-rated vineyards are located exclusively in Bouzy. Soils are the classic, chalky terroir of the Montagne de Reims.

AGE OF VINES: 15-30 years

WINEMAKING: “Hand-harvested. Fermented on indigenous yeasts in
temperature-controlled, stainless steel tanks. Aged for 10 years in bottle. Dosage 4 grams/L”

TASTING IMPRESSIONS: Aromas of lemon curd, baking spices, light honey, wildflowers, fresh apricots. Intense and textured; red berries, more honey, stone fruits.

PAIRING SUGGESTIONS: Smoked salmon and other fish; Asian-inspired dishes

ABOUT THE PRODUCER: For nearly 300 years, the Vesselle family has been tilling the chalky soils of Bouzy and cultivating some of the villages best-placed Pinot Noir vines. The familys collection of top terroirs and generations of leadership in championing Pinot Noir is what makes wines from Domaine Jean Vesselle such eloquent examples of Blanc de Noirs Champagnes. Wines here combine a classic Champagne elegance with the signature Bouzy power. The familys vineyards are planted to 90% Pinot Noir and 10% Chardonnay, a fidelity to Pinot Noir thats much greater than other houses in the region. Vines are cared for according to lutte raisone principles, concentrating mostly on organic practices and avoiding chemical treatments. Vineyard rows are plowed to avoid the use of herbicides. The estate too uses solar energy and recycles rainwater to reduce its energy footprint.