2018 Bereche et Fils, Champagne, Ay Grand Cru, Extra Brut

Based in the village of Ludes, Bérêche et Fils is a fifth-generation family estate that has been producing wine since 1847. This specific cuvée is made from a blend of 75% Pinot Noir and 25% Chardonnay sourced from the Brise Pot and Froide Terre parcels, where vines aged over 40 years grow in thin layers of topsoil over deep Campanian chalk. In the glass, it shows a dense, vinous texture with prominent notes of red apple, chalky minerality, and subtle spice. The 2018 growing season provided a warm, sunny climate, resulting in a generous and ripe expression of this celebrated Grand Cru site. This is a powerful, well-structured wine that offers significant appeal for immediate enjoyment or further development in the cellar.