Marie-Noëlle Rainon-Henriet here offers Cuvée Arsène, a Champagne Grand Cru made from a blend of 70% Pinot Noir from the villages of Verzy and Verzenay, more precisely from the "Espérance" and "Voyettes" parcels, and 30% Chardonnay from Verzy, from the "Pisse Renard" parcel. It reflects the full complexity of these terroirs, combining power, elegance, energy, roundness and mineral freshness. Vinification is carried out by parcel, and the wines (only the "tête de cuvée") remain on lees for 9 months in enamelled vats, without filtration or pumping. The wines are kept for 6 years in bottles on laths, before being disgorged and given a dosage of 5g/L, making this cuvée a Extra brut.
This Champagne sports an intense straw-yellow color with golden highlights. The bouquet is complex and intense. First on the elegance with notes of peony, blackcurrant and pomelo that betray the strong presence of Pinot Noir. Then comes the generosity of pear, papaya and acacia honey. Finally, the warm notes of ripe Chardonnay come through: toast, cashew nuts, white chocolate... We finish on a fresh note of damp chalk and wild herb infusion. The palate is supple and creamy, full of yellow fruit pulp and ripe citrus, but also greedy, with warm brioche, English toffee, toasted almond and, finally, almost earthy with its coffee and roasting aromas. The whole is supported by a chalky backbone that provokes a long, mineral, lemony and saline finish.
This Champagne Arsène du Domaine Henriet-Bazin is racy and elegant; it bears the singular and unique characteristics of the 2015 vintage. To accompany its intensity, a ballotine of poultry, mushroom risotto and morels will do the trick! Or, for a magical moment, pair it with an aged Comté cheese aged 24 months. It is also, of course, ideal for a gourmet aperitif.
