Zero Brut Nature NV 375ml – Tarlant

Siblings Mélanie and Benoît Tarlant now run this traditional family vineyard in the Vallée de la Marne organically. The family has been involved in viticulture since 1687. Each of the numerous plots is vinified and vinified separately. About fifty percent of them are fermented in wooden barrels. Malolactic fermentation is deliberately avoided.

One third each of the Zero consists of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier. The three main grape varieties of the region are blended here. The 2012 vintage as well as a high percentage of reserve wines serve as a basis. After nearly six years in bottle, Zero Brut Nature was disgorged in January 2019. The dosage is at zero grams.

Sparkling golden yellow, delicate green reflections.

Profound and honest. Elegant and chalky. Pure origin and minerality. This is how Tarlant's "Zero Brut Nature" starts on the nose. An unadorned beauty that reflects its terroir so wonderfully. Nothing seems overpainted or covered up, but simply broken down to the essentials. Chalk, three grape varieties, yeast storage, second fermentation in the bottle.

A little pear tart, shortbread and bread crust. Oyster shell and wet chalk. A large amount of lemon zest. Also a little green apple pops up in the background as well as dried herbs. A delicate nuance of smoke is heard. Above all, it has a purist feel to it. As mentioned at the outset, this is very much a wine of origin and character. An authentic champagne far away from the usual market manipulations.

Extremely sparse, almost drying out, it opens on the palate. Cool and dark it advances. The sensory impressions of pear and apple reappear. A lemony acidity characterizes the moment. Most importantly, this seems salty and again offers the comparison to oyster shells. Clarity and minerality on the palate run out in the long finish.