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Tasting new Champagnes from Raphaël & Vincent Bérêche
Epernay
Tasted February 8, 2014 by Vintomas with 356 views
Introduction
The wine shop 520 in Epernay presented a new line of Champagnes from Raphaël & Vincent (R&V) Bérêche, which is a small négociant business run by the same people that also run the small grower Champagne Bérêche et Fils. They supplement the range from their own vineyards with some Champagnes from other villages and vineyards.
They were sold after surprisingly long bottle aging for being newly introduced and produced by a small grower, were all produced in a quite dry style, and were definitely to my taste. The production volume is unfortunately low.
Flight 1 (4 notes)
White - Sparkling
N.V. Raphaël & Vincent Bérêche Champagne Grand Cru Côte
88 points
Fresh nose, green apple, some citrus and mineral. Fresh and very dry on the palate with green apple (Granny Smith), citrus, good concentration with a purity of aromas, and good acidity. Young, fresh and produced in a good and modern small grower style. 88 p.
Chardonnay from Avize (grand cru) and Grauves (premier cru), so the blend is premier cru-classed on the label. 62 months on the lees, dosage 2 g/l.
Chardonnay from Avize (grand cru) and Grauves (premier cru), so the blend is premier cru-classed on the label. 62 months on the lees, dosage 2 g/l.
White - Sparkling
2002 Raphaël & Vincent Bérêche Champagne Grand Cru Côte
90 points
Nose with green and yellow apple, some peach, some smoke, possibly a hint of oak barrel notes. Palate with yellow and green apple, definitely a good concentration, high acidity, fine creamy character, mineral and a green-apply aftertaste. Definitely a Cramant character, rather young, 90(+) p.
Chardonnay from Cramant (grand cru). Disgorged in November 2013, dosage 2 g/l. 2000 bottles in this vintage.
Chardonnay from Cramant (grand cru). Disgorged in November 2013, dosage 2 g/l. 2000 bottles in this vintage.
White - Sparkling
2004 Raphaël & Vincent Bérêche Champagne Grand Cru Montagne Extra Brut Millésime
90 points
Nose with apple a hints of cider, spice, and some mineral. Very dry palate with quite pronounced mineral note of a “mineral water character” and with a stoniness, green apple, high acidity, and aftertaste with mineral. Young, 90 p.
Chardonnay from Trépail (premier cru) in Montagne de Reims. Disgorged in December 2013, dosage 4 g/l. 773 bottles in this vintage.
Chardonnay from Trépail (premier cru) in Montagne de Reims. Disgorged in December 2013, dosage 4 g/l. 773 bottles in this vintage.
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White - Sparkling
2002 Raphaël & Vincent Bérêche Champagne Vallée
91 points
Nose with red and yellow apples, some spice, a hint of honey and some development. Palate with powerful concentration, yellow and red apple, hints of winter apples, some peach, high acidity, and an aftertaste with some green apples. Rather fully developed, 91 p.
60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay from Aÿ (grand cru) in Grande Vallée de la Marne. Disgorged in December 2013, dosage 2 g/l. 1680 bottles in this vintage.
60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay from Aÿ (grand cru) in Grande Vallée de la Marne. Disgorged in December 2013, dosage 2 g/l. 1680 bottles in this vintage.