Varnier Fanniere Cuvee St Denis Grand Cru NV

Type: Champagne      Volume: 750ml

Winery: Champagne Varnier Fanniere

Country: France     Region: Champagne

District: Avize

Grapes Varieties: chardonnay

Classification: Grand Cru - Champagne     Production: 

Alcohol:      Packing: Original Carton of 6 bottles

Ratings and Tasting Notes:

(WA=93) The October 2019 disgorgement of Varnier-Fannière's NV Brut Grand Cru Cuvée Saint-Denis continues to show very nicely, revealing aromas of ripe citrus fruit, yellow apple, fresh apricot, wheat toast, and marzipan, followed by a full-bodied, broad, and powerful palate that's elegantly fleshy and nicely concentrated. It's an expressive, textural Champagne that exemplifies the house style.

(AG=93) The NV Brut Cuvée Saint-Denis is another fabulous wine in this range. It emerges from 70 year-old vines in the Vigne du Grand Père lieu-dit in Avize. Orchard fruit, pear, lemon oil, graphite, and crushed rocks build as this chiseled Blanc de Blancs shows off its remarkable pedigree and personality. This release is a blend of 60% 2015 and 40% 2014. Dosage is 10 grams per liter. Disgorged: October 30, 2019.

(WS=91) A pretty Champagne, soft and creamy on the palate, with a salty underpinning to the juicy range of nectarine, Marcona almond, and pickled ginger. Lightly honeyed on the finish. Disgorged September 2018. Drink now through 2022.

From the Winery:

Dosage = 7 g / liter of sugar (raw)  The term Cuvée means the first juice that flows from the press (therefore the best).  The grapes come from a single 68-year-old parcel of Avize:  “le Clos du Grand-Père”. Cuvée adorned with light gold color with discreet green reflections, the bubbles are fine and light.  The nose is a bouquet of aromas that has evolved over the 5 years of aging in our cellars.  Discretion of white flowers, a hint of lychees, and dried fruits, typical of great Chardonnays. The maturity on the palate is there, in the form of toasted hazelnuts and pastries, with a marked mineral finish. An old Cuvée for connoisseurs ... as an aperitif or with foie gras.