Leclerc Briant La Croisette Brut

Leclerc Briant La Croisette Brut

Wine Description

Leclerc Briant was an early adopter of organic practices beginning in the 1960’s and pioneered the concept of single-vineyard Champagne beginning in the 1970’s. Fifth generation vigneron, Pascal Leclerc began following biodynamic principles in 1988, with part of the production Demeter certified since 2003. Today, enologist Hervé Jestin continues the legacy of this visionary house.

24.7 acres of vineyard are spread between the Premier Cru villages of Cumières, Hautvillers, Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, Bisseuil in the Vallée de la Marne, Villers-Allerand and Rilly la Montagne in Montagne de Reims and in the Grand Cru village of Le Mesnil Sur Oger in the Côte des Blancs. Leclerc Briant also holds long term contracts with another 19.7 acres of organically farmed vineyards.

La Croisette is the jewel of Leclerc Briant, a 1.5 acre vineyard adjacent the winery in Épernay, remarkably never treated with chemicals. "La Croisette" is the name of a little pathway near the winery that overlooks Épernay and lends its name to the vineyard. This 100% Chardonnay spends 10 months in a mix of oak barrels and terra cotta eggs, and then minimum of 24 to 36 months sur lattes. The wine receives no dosage. 2,500 bottles produced.

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Acclaim
"The top wine out of this lineup, the brilliant 2015 Leclerc Briant ‘Zero Dosage’ Champagne is crafted from a 1.5 acre vineyard set on clay and loamy soils, adjacent the winery in Épernay. “La Croisette" is the name of a little pathway near the winery that overlooks Épernay as this 100% Chardonnay Champagne was aged in 10 months in a combination of oak barrels and terra cotta eggs, and then minimum of 24 to 36 months sur lattes. Dense orchard and melon fruits greet you aromatically, with salty soils and shades of white rose water. The palate is concentrated and intense with gobs of white grapefruit oil, salted sourdough bread and ripe Japanese pear flavors that combine with nutty undertones. Complex and very delicious now, this has both the weight and finesse to cellar well over the next two decades."
— Owen Bargreen, Feb 2022
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Vineyard & Production Info
Soil composition
Clay-Loam
Elevation:
264-396 feet
Vines/acre:
3200-3600
Yield/acre:
3.9-4.8 tons
Year vineyard planted:
1958
Harvest time:
September
Bottles produced of this wine:
3,000
Average Vine Age:
40
Certified Eco-Friendly Practices:
Biodynamic-Demeter
Certifying Organizations:
Ecocert
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Winemaking & Aging
Prefermentation Technique:
Static Settling
Time on its skins:
12-36 hours
Varietal composition:
100% Chardonnay
Fermentation container:
Stainless steel tanks
Length of alcoholic fermentation:
15-45 days
Fermentation temperature:
61-79 °F
Malolactic fermentation:
Yes
Type of aging container:
Barrels and Terracotta
Type of oak:
French
Length of aging before bottling:
10 months
Age of Aging Container:
2-7 years
Length of bottle aging:
24-36 months
Total SO2
17
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Analytical Data
pH level:
3.13
Acidity:
4.05 g/L
Alcohol:
12.75 %
Dry extract:
17.2 g/L
Total SO2
17
Residual sugar:
1.45 g/L