Terre de Vertus Non Dosé Premier Cru Brut Nature 2016

The Terre de Vertus comes from a Chardonnay parcel that has been vinified separately since 1995. This is a parcel with the name Les Barillerswhich is located in the middle of the slope of Vertus. The grapes are gently pressed, the juice is lightly clarified and then goes directly into the wood. Natural alcoholic fermentation and malolactic fermentation begin spontaneously in Stockinger barrels and vats. The wines mature on their natural lees for the first year without being filtered or fined. The tirage takes place at the end of July. There is no blending with other vintages or terroirs. It is a wine from a single parcel. The bottles are sur lattes aged for at least five years. Each bottle is hand disgorged six months before release. The wine has 0 % dosage.

medium straw yellow with lively mousseux

A young Terre de Vertus needs time to open up. If it is to be served directly, it should be carefully decanted. The 2016 vintage is unusually open and inviting with warm yeast biscuits and nuts. Only then do cool notes of lemon zest, ginger, mussel shells and damp chalk emerge. With aeration, nuances of pears and raisins also emerge.

On the palate, the champagne is similarly open, silky and inviting. The vintage makes it possible that one does not get the impression that the Terre de Vertus would have to disappear into the cellar for another three years. No, it can be enjoyed straight away. Here, fine brioche, lemon curd, grapefruit zest and lemon meet some chalk and herbs. The mousseux is sensually fine, the acidity ripe and balanced.