Champagne Paul Berthelot Blanc de Noirs Extra Brut Premier Cru NV

Domaine Paul Berthelot dates back to the 1940s, in the village of Dizy, near Epernay. The cultivation of the vines goes back further still, all the way to 1884. Five generations have followed in the traditions laid down by founder Emile Berthelot – producing a small portfolio that has delighted us for years. The Domaine has 16 hectares spread across three vineyards: Dizy and Avenay – both classified Premier Cru – as well as Aÿ, which is classified Grand Cru. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay reign supreme here, with smaller amounts of Pinot Meunier planted, too.

This is a 100% Pinot Meunier Blanc de Noirs, yet because Pinot Meunier accounts for far less of their total portfolio than either Pinot Noir or Chardonnay, they only make this wine in special vintages, when all the stars align perfectly! As such, it is one of their smallest productions, harvested in 2018 and sourced from three plots in the Premier Cru sites of Dizy and Avenay’s Val D’Or. The wine spends at least three years on the lees before a miniscule 4 grams per liter dosage finalizes the masterpiece. That accounts for just 0.4% percent of the entire bottle, friends – making for a bone-dry and delicious wine for all occasions. All said and done, this Blanc de Noirs is an absolute treat – and may even be the finest from Paul Berthelot we’ve ever tasted!

Taut, precise, and abounding with freshness – this wine combines the vinous tendencies of 100% Meunier Champagnes with a friendly and fruity aspect. The result is a wine that is both serious and playful in equal measure — complex enough to be contemplated, yet amiable enough to delight (and disappear) in mixed company! The nose is mild, preferring to be coy rather than boastful, but it does give some salty sea aromas that waft through the air. There’s a bold taste of marine sediment and seashells blended with butterscotch and the trademark characteristic of citrus notes that are often prevalent with Meunier-dominant Champagne. It’s a wonderful wine that can be for the serious Champagne enthusiast or the casual sipper alike – crowd-pleasing, for sure. Poised and fresh, this is a delightful and rare Champagne all the way through, and we’re thrilled to have it at such an awe-imposing price!