NV Pierre Morlet Brut Grand Réserve 1er Cru

The NV Champagne Grande Reserve Brut is an assertive yet balanced wine with 65% Pinot Noir and the rest Chardonnay from a blend of five vintages. The nose of the wine is powerful though elegant, with raspberry eau de vie, toasted brioche, and a delicate savory note of beeswax. The palate is ripe and juicy with red fruit, tangerine, a full pillowy mousse, and a hint of salinity on the finish. There is a pretty nature to the wine, with its ripe perfume lasting long after the finish. It is certainly approachable now or over the next 10-15 years. Based in Avenay Val d’Or in the Montagne de Reims, this domaine is a fourth-generation family-owned and operated estate based on Pinot Noir. They currently work with 16 hectares exclusively of Premier and Grand Crus sites. Fermentation occurs in small stainles -steel tanks and used French oak 600-liter demi-muids with light toast levels, a practice which Luc Morlet brought back to the house in 1992. All the wines undergo malolactic fermentation to add richness and roundness to the mouthfeel. The three sons of Eric Morlet are all active participants in the company. Nicholas Morlet helms winemaking, while Paulin Morlet oversees the vineyards and winery operations. Luc Morlet, of the famed eponymous winery in St. Helena in Napa, and his father also continue to have a hand in the house. They produce four wines in the range, consisting of the Grande Reserve, Millésime, Blanc de Blancs, and the Grande Reserve Rosé. Annual production is between 10,000 and 14,000 cases.