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It was in 1915 that Armand-Raphaël Graser, then a wine merchant in Alsace, left his native region to join Champagne and set up in Damery, in an 18th-century building with typical Champagne architecture, the company's current head office. He began producing Champagne under the brand name "AR Lenoble", "A.R." for his initials and "Lenoble" as a tribute to the nobility of Champagne wines.
In 1947, his son Joseph then succeeded him, then in 1973, on Joseph's retirement, the House passed into the hands of Jean-Marie Malassagne, Armand-Raphaël's grandson, who himself in 1993 handed over the keys to the house to his daughter Anne and son Antoine, the 4th generation at the helm of this very fine House.
Today, in order to pursue its development, the company has decided to open up its capital to the Frère-Gallienne family's FG Bros holding company, which owns stakes in Château Cheval Blanc in Saint-Emilion. Antoine Malassagne "remains associated and operationally involved to ensure the continuity of the work accomplished alongside his sister Anne over three decades.
The House's Millésimée cuvée, always carefully crafted, is made from a rigorous selection of Chardonnays from the most prestigious parcels of Chouilly Grand Cru. This exceptional cuvée is produced only in the most outstanding years, in limited quantities, guaranteeing unrivalled quality and Rare purity. The winemaking process is distinguished by maturation in vats and 228-liter barrels, followed by more than ten years in cellars, sheltered from climatic variations. This meticulous process results in exceptional aromatic complexity and depth.
On tasting, Gentilhomme Blanc de blancs 2012 opens with notes of praline, almond and fresh hazelnut, enriched by hints of smoke. With aeration, aromas of small yellow fruits and a hint of honey emerge, adding a fruity, gourmet dimension. On the palate, the attack is tangy and taut, dominated by citrus notes that add a lively, persistent freshness. The finish reveals toasty nuances, heralding a promising ageing potential.
This cuvée goes wonderfully well with a variety of refined dishes. It is ideal as an aperitif, accompanied by gougères with mimolette or aged parmesan, and equally delicious with desserts such as caramelized rice pudding, chocolate cream with Piedmont hazelnuts, or apricot with olive oil. It also complements meat dishes such as poularde aux morilles, and goes perfectly with cheeses such as Comté.