An equal blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, 20% of which was barrel-fermented, the cuvée was then aged for 10 years including 18 months of bottle age following being disgorged in September 2017.

Dosage is low – just 5g per litre – making it an extra brut which is very much in the house style.

The 2009 vintage was famously a warm one but the start of the year saw a lot of snow and rain and thunderstorms.

All this water, however, enabled the vines to get through the hot summer without suffering any hydric stress.

The harvest started in Oger and Mesnil on 10 September and went on for 10 days, the final Pinot being picked in Mailly.

Acids are in fact in line with the last 10 vintages but there is a “solar generosity” to the wine as might be imagined.

For the label art for the vintage, the house commissioned Swedish painter Anna-Lisa Unkurl to work on the theme, “Invitation Au Voyage”, because the aromas of the wine are, “reminiscent of exotic foreign lands”.

The wine will available in selected retailers and restaurants with an RRP of £68.

Read more at source: The Drinks Business

Image Source: The Drinks Business