Ruppert-Leroy NV Champagne Brut Nature 'Puzzle'
Ruppert-Leroy is an estate that sold to the local cooperative from the 1980s until 2009, when Emmanuel and Bénédicte first began to make single vineyard, single terroir, single vintage wines, always bottled Brut Nature (no dosage). Many years later, the wines have developed a loyal following of Champagne and natural wine lovers alike. Due to the miniscule harvest of 2021, Emmanuel and Bénédicte were not able to produce their normal range of single vintage wines. With the grapes they could salvage from their own parcels, and thanks to some friends in the Aube with organic vineyards, they did produce this "one-off" bottling called "Puzzle - La Côte de Bars." The name is likely a reference to the patchwork puzzle of parcels they sourced from to make this Champagne, as the label's artwork suggests. 70% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir, with fermentation in wood, and bottled with zero dosage.