NV-C Jean Laurent Blanc de Blanc Reserve, Champagne, France (750ml)   

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A Quarterly Sparkling Wine Club Selection
Jean Laurent is the third‐generation owner at the estate, but his family has been growing wine in the tiny village of Celles‐sur‐Ource for centuries. With a strong commitment to sustainable agriculture and commitment to quality, Champagne Jean Laurent has emerged as one of the top grower producers in the Côte des Bar region south of Epernay where estate is situated. Jean Laurent farms a scant 16 hectares of vines, with 70% planted to Pinot Noir, 20% to Chardonnay and the remaining 10% to Pinot Blanc and a tiny amount of Arbane. The vineyards are primarily located in the village of Celles‐sur‐Ource (with a few parcels in the neighboring village Landreville), known for its distinctive chalky soils, part of a band that stretches from Champagne to Chablis and all the way to the White Cliffs of Dover.

The vines are sustainably farmed and average between 25 and 30-years-old, with the oldest parcels being more than 60-years-old. Jean carefully limits vineyard treatments to encourage biodiversity, uses solar panels to generate winery’s electricity, and uses reclaimed rainwater for winery operations. The house style at Champagne Laurent is characterized by its single‐varietal bottlings, stainless-steel vinification and élevage, and full malolactic conversion. The Brut Blanc de Blancs Réserve is blended from four vintages and aged a minimum of 36 months on the lees with a dosage of 9g/L. Bright yellow hue. Characteristic aromas of yellow apple and freshly sliced green pear. The palate shows green apple, pear and lemon flesh and a hint of pastry dough. Textural mouthfeel with more richness and a slightly less bracing acidity than a lot of Blanc de Blancs. Beautifully opulent with a superfine, frothy perlage and a lovely mineral note on the lingering finish.