Description

Premier Cru Tasting Notes & Story:

A champagne that puts the lesser known grape of Champagne, Pinot Meunier, in premier position.

Champagne growers that hail from the chalky soils and pastoral hills of Chigny-les-Roses (south of Reims but North facing) are expected to produce smiles and head nods using the standard trio of Chardonnay (melody), Pinot Noir (harmony), and the workhorse Pinot Meunier (strut bass). That’s because their parcels are designated Premier Cru by Champagne's bubble authorities.

What’s toe-tapping from the lyrical 4th generation Owner-Grower, Julien TIXIER, is the spotlight he gives to Pinot Meunier, followed by equal amounts of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The result is a unique symphony of smooth sounds and round flavors like fresh peaches, plump apricots, hints of jasmine and rose petals - even strawberry shortcake.

Like bookends, you can pair this with the beginning and end of any meal. Think appetizers like tuna tartare, bruschetta, flatbreads, and cornbread. Made for brunch: avocado toast, frittata, powdered sugar French toast and a side of bacon from White Oak Pastures (Bluffton, GA) - with extra bacon.

But if you really want to take this champagne where it is meant to soar: pair it with Indian cuisine - Punjab (north) or Kerala (south). Think fiery curries, grilled tandoori meats, yogurt-based sauces, crispy poppadoms, fragrant rice and range of breads.

Owner-Grower Harvest Notes:

The road to your glass wasn’t easy. Plenty of wind and rain stood in the way. 2016 was a hell of a year that pounded the vineyard with freezing downpours, high winds, and stresses from mildew. Low expectations heading into harvest were upended with perfect weather and a surprising yield of grapes more vibrant from the weather struggles they endured. Put aside the incident at the port where sudden braking by an operator sent 2 cases flying off the palette. That’s the angel’s share and not a drop more!

Half of this edition is from the 2016 harvest, the other half from aging reserves.

Make-Up:

Pinot Meunier, 60%
Pinot Noir, 20%
Chardonnay, 20%

Dose 8g / litre

Composed of 50% from the 2016 harvest and 50% of reserve wines.

As with this offering, the entire TIXIER portfolio features:

• Sustainable viticulture, climate stewardship, and biodiversity farming certifications (HVE, VDC)
• Temperature controlled importation, 55°F
• Malolactic Fermentation
• 12.5% ABV

Recommended Drinking Temperature: 8-10°C or 50°F

In French RM, récoltant manipulant, means owner grower and someone who controls the grapes from budbreak to bottle.

Please feel free to contact us for more details or simply send us a message to know more.