Champagne Grand Cru L'Irremplaçable Blanc de Blancs Brut

Concours General Paris: Medaille D’Argent

The Place

Nathalie Vignier is the sixth generation of her family to make wine in Cramant (although her family’s ties to Champagne date as far back as the 16th century). Her grandfather, Paul Lebrun, was one of the first vignerons to break away from the big négociants after the Great War and established his own brand, Champagne Paul Lebrun, in 1931, comprised of 16.5 hectares distributed across the Côte des Blancs and the Côte de Sézanne, including 3 Grand Cru and 2 Premier Cru villages.

Winemaking

It is fermented and aged in stainless steel tanks, allowing for precise control and preservation of its character. It is a blend derived from the remarkable years of 2017 and 2018, carefully selected from the renowned plots of Chouilly (20%) and Barbonne-Fayel (80%). The Sézanne terroir features a combination of clay, limestone, and marl soils, imparting complexity and richness to the wine. The Barbonne-Fayel sub-region is known for its chalky soils that lend a distinct minerality to the wines. The wine is aged on lees for 3 years before disgorgment and a traditional brut dosage of 8g/l.

Tasting Notes

The nose is fine and intense, revealing orchard fruits, ripe and fresh, such as apple, pear, and peach. With a delicate veil of autolysis suggesting fresh bread, the nose is also accompanied by an exotic touch of pineapple over fresh almonds. The first taste is fresh with a juicy core, rich bubbles and density from the lees ageing. Between ripe citrus and an evolving tempo towards apple, peach, and almond, it presents a subtle firmness that channels it towards a sapid finish, where citrus zest and a saline hint persist. A beautiful harmony between the texture brimming with liveliness and the youthful scents, yet with a certain seriousness.