Description
Created in 1985 by Maryse and Francis VERRIER, this vintage combines finesse and complexity. It was the flagship of Maison Verrier at the time.
Blend: 90% Chardonnay, 10% Pinot Noir, 25% reserve wines from 2 previous years Aging in the cellar for 4 years before sale Originating from the hillsides of Petit Morin (between Épernay and Sézanne) Southeast exposure, exclusively hillside vines Two villages and ten named places are blended for this vintage Vine age: 20 years Soil type: Limestone with Belemnite Manual harvest Vinification in stainless steel and enamel tanks Manual disgorging Dosage: 8g/l (brut)
→ The suggestion
This Cuvée Fleuron, taut and intense, expresses itself with a lot of finesse and purity. It will convey these qualities in a well-designed flute at 8 – 10 degrees Celsius. An excellent aperitif wine, it will attract conversation and will be enhanced by some shavings of Parmesan or a few salted dry biscuits. If you wish to enjoy its beautiful texture at the table, focus on the noblest seafood. Scallops, Turbot, Sea Bass, and Meagre, for example, will pair wonderfully with this great wine.
→ The wine
The color of this Cuvée Fleuron is particularly bright. It displays a golden-yellow hue with very slight green reflections and pleasant sparkles due to the presence of extremely fine and numerous bubbles. A fine mousse crowns the effervescence on the surface. The overall presentation, fresh and distinguished, attests to the quality of the blend.
The first nose, although of medium intensity, offers an expression of finesse. It delivers aromas of fresh butter, almond, bergamot, and thyme. Upon aeration, it reveals scents of candied lemons and oranges on a very refined mineral background. After ten minutes, the refined expression intensifies with aromas of white flowers and limestone. The “air holding” after twenty minutes demonstrates the stability and potential of the wine. Although still a bit discreet, it is refined, distinguished, and elegant, making it among the great classics of Champagne.
The attack on the palate is lively, with a beautiful effervescence immediately followed by the wine’s freshness. It is this acidic edge that sets the pace for the tasting until the finish. The wine’s vinosity and slightly warm character simply accompany the freshness, while the dosage is almost imperceptible. The wine stands tall and seems ethereal. The effervescence remains creamy until the finish, producing a tender, very caressing texture. The finish is both tangy and mineral. Extremely precise, it gives an impression of purity and ends with a good aromatic length (about six seconds). The wine concludes with hints of lemons, iodine, and butter.”