Wine Critic
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Adrien Renoir “Les Epinettes” Verzy Grand Cru Pinot Noir 2020 is a single-parcel, single-vintage Blanc de Noirs from old-vine Pinot Noir in Verzy (Montagne de Reims), made in a very pure, low-dosage, oak-aged grower style. It is intense, structured, and distinctly vinous, with fine perlage, vibrant acidity, and a clear sense of place.
Vineyard and winemaking
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100% Pinot Noir from the Les Epinettes parcel in Verzy Grand Cru, a northwest-facing site of old massale-selection vines planted in 1971 on clay-limestone soils with chalk.
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100% 2020 harvest, vinified and aged 100% in barrel with natural fermentation using indigenous yeasts and complete malolactic fermentation.
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Aged on lees for around 24 months, with very low dosage (about 1 g/L, effectively Extra Brut/Brut Nature) and no cold stabilization, fining, or filtration.
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Organic/biodynamic farming in conversion, with minimal intervention in the cellar.
Tasting note
Appearance: Pale gold to light straw with a fine, persistent mousse.
Nose: Red berries, cherry, and delicate citrus notes, accompanied by brioche, salted butter caramel, and a subtle hint of spice.
Palate: Concentrated and precise, combining vinous intensity with black fruits and very nice minerality. The structure is firm but refined, with fine bubbles, vibrant acidity, and a clear mineral undercurrent.
Finish: Long, savory, and mouthwatering, with lingering red fruit, bitter almond, and a clean, slightly chalky close.
Style and drinking window
This is a grower Champagne for people who like serious, food-oriented Blanc de Noirs: intense, structured, and clearly terroir-driven rather than simple or aperitif-style. It is approachable now but has the depth to hold for several years in a cool cellar.
Food pairing
It pairs beautifully with shellfish, crab, lobster, roast chicken, duck, pork, and light game. It also works very well with mushroom dishes, charcuterie, semi-hard cheeses, and refined preparations where its fruit and acidity can balance richness.
