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Anthony Gismondi on Wine
Leclerc Briant Divine Soleratext
93POINTS
17¼/20

Leclerc Briant Divine Solera NV

Champagne, FranceThis rising star of biodynamic champagne has roots that go back generations. Lucien Leclerc founded the winery with four hectares of vineyards in Cumières in 1872. The business moved to Épernay in 1955 when Bertrand Leclerc married Jacqueline Briant, founding this négociant firm. Leclerc Briant was an early adopter of organic practices back in the 1960’s, and was 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. Cuvée Divine Solera is not released every year, and uses only estate fruit. It is a 50/30/20 blend of pinot meunier / pinot noir / chardonnay, native fermented in oak, and based on the 2007 vintage, with a reserve solera from 06, 05, and 04. This spent 48 months on lees before being disgorged with 3 g/l in September 2018. Luxurious from first sniff, with the plumpness of meringue, toasted brioche, lemon curd chisled by a taut, chalky acidity that textures the long length of the palate. Quite seamless; the dosage is perfected situated to counter the richness of fruit and autolysis. Quite a powerful and confident wine, handled extremely well.Tasted: 06 December 2019Tasted by: Treve RingPrices:
ON$168.75750mlLCBO
Producer: Champagne Leclerc BriantDistributors: Le Sommelier Inc.
Blend: Pinot Meunier - Pinot Noir - ChardonnayCSPC: 345164