Le Jour LJ20, Non Dosé Premier Cru

Wine Description for Le Jour LJ20 Non Dosé Premier Cru by Bonnet-Ponson

Colour & Appearance

Straw yellow with subtle copper tinges, hinting at the maturity of the 1971-planted vines. The perlage displays itself as fine and persistent, a hallmark of artisanal quality and two years of bottle ageing.

Nose

This single-varietal Pinot Meunier surprises with unconventional spice: blonde tobacco and crushed stone dominate the first impression. These are joined by soft apple notes, apple skin and pomelo. Subtle nuances of lemon zest, herbs and wax lend the bouquet a rustic elegance, far removed from mainstream-pleasing Champagne aromatics.

Palate

On the palate, a spicy dryness unfolds with remarkable texture. The extract sweetness balances the mineral austerity, whilst subtle pastry notes recall the barrel ageing. Juicy, crisp, piquant – the absence of sulphur manifests itself through an inviting openness. The mouthfeel is soft and gripping, with the characteristic tobacco-stone signature already present on the nose.

Finish

Medium length and fading with mineral-spicy notes, with lingering impressions of apple skin and fine chalk. The freshness remains present through to the end.

Terroir & Origin

The Premier Cru single vineyard site Le Jour in Vrigny provides the grapes for this vineyard Champagne. The clay-silt soil over limestone imparts its characteristic mineral signature and spicy complexity to the wine.

Grape Variety & Vinification

100% Pinot Meunier from vines planted in 1971. The Cœur de Cuvée underwent spontaneous fermentation and nine months of ageing in four-year-old barrels (228 and 400 litre). Malolactic fermentation, unsulphited, disgorged as Brut Nature (02/2023). An uncompromising, artisanal approach.

Food Pairing Suggestions

Pasta with fresh figs and rosemary, salsicce with grapes and lentils or pulled pork tacos with apple-chilli slaw. The spicy structure also pairs well with terrines and aged Comté.

Special Characteristics

An individual, unfiltered Champagne that deliberately swims against the current. The combination of old vines, single vineyard site, barrel ageing and zero dosage yields a wine of authentic personality – not for mainstream palates, but all the more fascinating for lovers of characterful grower Champagnes.