- white sparkling
- 0 in stock
- Organic
- no discounts
I’m not sure why, but Pinot Meunier-based Champagnes always remind me of Fall. Something about the spiciness and orchard fruit with the broader palate character from the limestone clay soils seem to lend warmth and breadth to the profile and in good hands there’s no sacrificing precision. 100% old-vine Pinot Meunier sourced from the lieu-dit Le Misy, located in Port à Binson on the southern bank of the Marne river. Fermented with native yeasts in barrel and aged under cork, Bérêche's Rive Gauche makes a convincing case for Champagnes made from the oft-underestimated Pinot Meunier grape. The old vines restrict the sometimes overly exuberant quality of the variety, and while the wine shows lovely ripeness, there is a tangy minerality within. The 2016 base Rive Gauche offers plenty of suavity and soil character from a decidedly tough year (frost). The robe is a pale gold with a faint salmon hue; it boastss a soft mousse and fine bead. The nose offers aromas of golden apple, orange blossom, and salted plum. The palate is expansive, but energetic and lithe with a salty core undergirding stone fruit, seashell, and orange oil flavors.
There is fine concentration and mouthwatering acidity that carries over on the broad, persistent finish. This is lovely now, but should knit with more time in the bottle. Tasty with braised chicken and wild mushrooms, but I’d love to take this for a spin with some rare tuna belly or pan-roasted king salmon and greens. John McIlwain