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Anthony Gismondi on Wine
Raphaël & Vincent Bérêche Côte Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Extra Bruttext
94POINTS
17½/20

Raphaël & Vincent Bérêche Côte Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut 2005

Champagne, FranceThough the name Bérêche may be a familiar one to you, seeing as they're five generations deep growing and making Champagne, you're most likely familiar with the biodynamically farmed grower family estate of Champagne Bérêche et Fils. Raphaël & Vincent Bérêche (or R&V Bérêche for short) is the name of the current generation and brothers' relatively new négociant business, producing Champagnes from purchased fruit. The have chosen to run this business under a slightly different name in order to not have to change the status of their family operation from grower (RM) to négociant (NM). This chardonnay is from mid-slope Grand Cru Avize, and the 2005 vintage. It went into bottle in 2006 and remained there until its disgorging in December 2016 (!!), dosed with 4 g/l. Exceptional finesse and complexity, with layers of wet and dry chalk, lemon peel, green apple, fresh filberts, crispy meringue on a finely textured palate. A wave of savoury salts kissed with brown butter rides throughout, providing an alluring interest. There's a natural restraint, yet palpable intensity in this graceful, characterful wine, one that stood out amongst the rest. 4000 bottles produced.Tasted: 02 November 2018Tasted by: Treve RingPrices:
BC$134.99750mlprivate wine shops
Producer: Champagne Bérèche et FilsDistributors: International Cellars Inc.
Grape: ChardonnayCSPC: 410902UPC: 00626990263807