If we had to sum up the 2016 vintage it would be: frost, hail, rain and disease. Without a very fine September, the harvest would have been catastrophic. This remains a year with very heterogeneous quality; the Chardonnay was harvested late, after the reds (an exceptional occurrence), and offers a level of ripeness that is not always optimal. But fortunately the strong minerality of the terroirs, from which the Chardonnays entering Amour de Deutz 2016 are derived, enabled us to produce a harvest of excellent quality.
This cuvée is the result of blending wines from Avize and Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, "Grand Cru" from Côte des blancs, for 49% and 40% respectively, Villeneuve Renneville, Premier Cru from Côte des blancs for 5% and Villers-Marmery, Premier Cru from Montagne de Reims for 6%. It is therefore a Blanc de blancs, which expresses itself with finesse and whose ageing in vats gives it a lovely freshness.
Amour de Deutz takes its name from the bronze Angelot that adorns the courtyard and watches over Maison Deutz. It's a subtle cuvée, deep and seductive, even bewitching... Its color is a beautiful white gold, crystalline, supported by an effervescence of great finesse. The nose is very expressive, rich, full and delicate at the same time.
It opens with notes of white flowers and honeysuckle punctuated by a hint of menthol. This is followed by more gourmet aromas of pear, mirabelle plum, nectarine, and pastry, butter, viennoiserie, orange blossom and vanilla. The palate is maddeningly complex and elegant, with a strong presence of citrus fruits, orange, clementine, mandarin, Kumquat, complemented by the richness of yellow fruits, peach and apricot, but also gooseberry, roasted pineapple, Secs fruits ... The finish is remarkably persistent, pure and very precise.
This 2016 Amour de Deutz will pair wonderfully with a turbot blanc with citrus vapors or a veal tartare, oysters and ginger.
