2004 Francoise Bedel Cuvee Comme Autrefois

Aged for 11 years on the lees, the 2004 Brut Comme Autrefois is a blend of tonneaux-fermented Pinot Meunier (55%), Chardonnay (30%) and Pinot Noir (15%). Only the finest barrels were selected for this prestigious blend that was aged under natural cork like in the old days. Intensely golden-yellow in color, the wine opens with a deep, intense and slightly oaky/buttery but also pure, precise, beautifully matured and very complex bouquet with fresh fruit and pastry aromas along with iodine notes. Round, fresh and very elegant on the palate, this is a mouth-filling, creamy-textured, finessed and stimulatingly mineral cuvée whose 30% Chardonnay gives great freshness and aromatic finesse. There is a lot of vitality and balance in this cuvée, and the finish reveals so much energy, vitality and salinity. It's a great 2004 with very fine herbal flavors in the long, clean, fresh and stimulating finish. Fabulous! Disgorged in December 2016; tasted from lot AB041216 in May 2018.