NV Adrien Renoir Champagne Grand Cru Le Cepage Verzy
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Le Cepage is crafted entirely from Pinot Noir, sourced from the grand cru of Verzy, originating from 10 to 15 parcels characterized by comparatively shallow soils. Adrien Renoir remarks that when crafting this cuvée, he selects barrels that showcase a harmonious equilibrium between fruit, tension and a distinctive saline character. Entirely from the 2022 vintage and disgorged in December 2024 with a dosage of 1.6 grams per liter, the NV Verzy Grand Cru Le Cepage (2022) greets the nose with notes of red berries, pear, white flowers and brioche. Medium to full-bodied, ample and concentrated, it is a charming rendition with a succulent core of fruit and a long, persistent finish.
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Tamlyn Currin, jancisrobinson.com
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
100% Pinot Noir. Base 2019. Dosage 1.6 g/l. Disgorged May 2022. Smells good. Like thick cream piled onto a scone and drizzled with lime-zest syrup. Fireflies of honey dart in and out of tropical fruit, leaving lemongrass vapour trails. Beautiful richness at play with fragrant acidity and nutty layers. A tiny bit salty on the end. Luminous. Quite a standout. (TC)
A new cuvée in Renoir's range debuts with the NV Extra-Brut Grand Cru Le Cépage (2019 base), produced from Pinot Noir grown in Verzy and emphasizing the more saline, mineral expression of that variety in this village. Delivering aromas of pear, crisp stone fruit, buttered toast and smoke, it's medium to full-bodied, fleshy and ample, with a bright spine of acidity and a chiseled, racy profile, concluding with a saline finish.
A salmon-straw appearance, the NV Champagne Le Cepage is entirely Pinot Noir, with the base wine coming from the 2020 harvest. Flush with aromas of dried apricot, orange zest, button mushroom, and red berries, it has a more delicate mouthfeel, and while it doesn’t have the density or complexity that some of the wines Renoir carry, it doesn’t feel dilute and is more floral on the palate, with a supple, gentle texture. Pillowy and inviting, it’s approachable now or over the next 6-7 years. Adrien Renoir works five hectares in the Grand Cru village of Verzy in the Montagne de Reims. He returned to his family estate in 2014 and took over from his father in 2015. His philosophy is to work with nature to respect the soil and the terroir. Only very small sulfur additions are added at the time of grape pressing, so malolactic fermentation is not blocked. The domaine has been certified organic since 2020, and it is likely that Adrien will begin the certification process for biodynamic practices next year. Grapes are harvested at high maturity levels, and only indigenous yeasts are used. Vinification and aging take place in various barrels, most of which are used (5% new). The wines see very low levels of dosage, typically between zero and three grams per liter. Adrien Renoir is producing expressive and vinous wines with fantastic energy and power.