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Anthony Gismondi on Wine
Champagne Leclerc Briant Brut Reservetext
89POINTS
16¼/20

Champagne Leclerc Briant Brut Reserve NV

Champagne, FranceThis negoc house was founded in 1955 when Bertrand Leclerc married Jacqueline Briant. They were an early adopter of organic practices back in the 1960’s, and were one of the first to bottle single-vineyard Champagnes in the 1970’s. In the late 1980’s, Bertrand and Jacqueline’s son, Pascal, began integrating biodynamic principles and part of the production has been Demeter certified since 2003. Today, enologist Hervé Jestin, known for his biodynamics / bioenergetics oversees the wines of the house and its near 30ha of vines, plus another 20ha of organically farmed contract fruit. This wine, making up 75% of production, is a bit of a misnomer: there are no reserve wines (it's entirely the 2016 vintage) and it's actually extra-brut, with 5 g/L dosage, disgorged in December 2019. This blend of 40/40/20 pinot noir / pinot meunier / chardonnay was native fermented in stainless and oak (the latter 20%) before going into bottle for 3 years on lees. Weighty and confident, with red apple, patisserie, and almond, woven with oxidation throughout the dense palate, and closing out with a chalky finish.Tasted: 23 November 2020Tasted by: Prices:
ON$89.00750mlconsignment
Producer: Champagne Leclerc BriantDistributors: Le Sommelier Inc.
Blend: Pinot Noir - Pinot Meunier - Chardonnay