Champagne Vignon Père & Fils Réserve des Marquises - Grand Cru - Extra Brut 2018

Champagne Vignon Père et Fils is a family estate led by Stéphane Vignon, located in the Grand Cru village of Verzenay in the Montagne de Reims in Champagne, where the family has been growing grapes for generations. Stéphane is passionate about the vineyards, farming the family's 55 different plots spread out over 7 acres as naturally as possible without the use of toxic products. Vignon is the King of Pinot Noir, as the family works mostly with this noble grape, however they do farm smaller amounts of Chardonnay. The wines are rarely fined, bottled with low dosage and are not filtered or chaptalized (nature permitting). The results are pure, terroir driven Champagnes that reflect the identity of the land and the Vignon family.

The Réserve des Marquises Grand Cru Extra Brut is a blend of 65% Pinot Noir and 35% Chardonnay. The grapes come from a strict selection of the best plots and oldest vines in the Grand Cru villages of Verzenay and Verzy. The wine is fermented with native yeasts and aged for 9 months in oak barrels before blending and aging in bottle, unfined and unfiltered. In the glass, the wine has a mid-gold color with light copper highlights. Complex and compelling on the nose with aromas of toast, violets, roses, strawberries and cherries. On the palate, a refreshing acidity is very well integrated into the wine, balancing with a supple, almost creamy roundness and tiny, soft mousse. The finish is long and mineral with notes of red fruits and white flowers. Delicious.