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Wine Description
The Story
Nicolas Feuillatte’s iconic cuvée, capturing its quintessential style, Palmes d’Or Brut is only revealed through the prism of the vintage, when a truly exceptional harvest year enables its primary qualities to truly shine. A wine defined by time, capable of stirring supreme emotion, offering texture and flavours of great finesse.
A precious, black, opaque bottle that shuns accepted Champagne tradition. A bottle specially designed to contain this exceptional Champagne, facetted like a precious stone, its exterior illuminated with a thousand shards of light. Golden letters, traced with a touch of luxury, subtly underscore the promise of an exceptional Champagne.
Blend:
• Chardonnay 50%, Pinot Noir 50% from 11-12 Grand Crus
• 95% of wines sourced from Grand Cru vineyards, a blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in equal measure.
• Chardonnay – Chouilly, Cramant, Oger, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Avize et Montgueux)
• Pinot Noir – Bouzy, Verzy, Verzenay, Aÿ et Ambonnay..
• A pure gem, an ode to beauty.
• Rested in the cellars for almost a decade.
• A defining feature: Chardonnay from Montgueux, more tropical, fleshy and intense in character, and imparting its aromatic patina and cohesive qualities.
Taste:
• Aromas of bracingly fresh white fruits, dried almonds and apricots, and a slight hint of spice.
• Upfront, permeating flavours of redcurrant and citrus fruits. A second wave of Pinot Noir freshness and streak of minerality, underpinned by a distinctive chalk signature and acutely delicate smoky edge.
Vintage 2004
A great example of how large yields do not necessarily mean poor quality in Champagne. As a reaction to the previous year's low yields, the vines produced one of the largest crops on record. The growing season proceeded without major difficulties but the bumper crop called for bud thinning. August brought about cooler weather and some rains, increasing the risk of rot. The massive crop, averaging 13,990 kg/ha, was picked from September 18th onwards. The quality was a pleasant surprise; vibrant wines with appropriate intensity, refined charm and refreshing lightness. This vintage impresses me more and more, and I feel tempted to give it the full five stars. It comes with a rare balance of freshness, lightness, yet fine aromatic intensity. Post-release, this vintage has proven to be slow to age, and elegant wines are likely to keep on ageing gracefully. Dom Pérignon and Louis Roederer Cristal both excelled.