Wine Critic
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Pierre Deville “Copin” Pinot Noir Grand Cru Extra Brut 2020 is a single-vintage, single-parcel 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 old-vine parcels in Verzy Grand Cru (Montagne de Reims), notably La Queue des Loges (planted 1963) and Les Chemins de Wez (planted 1984), on limestone over chalk (“craie”).
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100% 2020 harvest, vinified entirely in oak barrels with natural fermentation using indigenous yeasts and complete malolactic fermentation.
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Aged on lees for around 36 months, with very low dosage (about 1 g/L, effectively Extra Brut/Brut Nature) and no fining or filtration.
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Organic/biodynamic farming in conversion, with minimal intervention in the cellar.
Tasting note
Appearance: Straw-yellow to light gold with a fine, persistent mousse; a Blanc de Noirs that looks more like a pale white wine than a classic pink.
Nose: Generous and engaging, with gutsy flavors of strawberry, peach, red cherry, toasted hazelnuts, and a touch of burnt toffee, plus subtle spice and chalky mineral notes.
Palate: Medium- to full-bodied and intense, with ripe red fruit, creamy texture from oak and lees, and vibrant acidity that keeps the wine fresh. The structure is firm but refined, with fine bubbles and a clear mineral undercurrent.
Finish: Long, savory, and mouthwatering, with lingering red fruit, nutty complexity, 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 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.