Ben says
★★ Great Wine “I am never wholly convinced by Bouzy-grown Grand Cru Champers (although I’ve not drunk loads of it). I don’t really know why. Sometimes they’re just too big or bloated. Although this 2014 from Lucien Collard is lovely, perhaps because it’s low dosage. Lemon going on gold with a properly biscuit and berry nose. A soft, super gentle fizz with bramble apple, stone fruits, summer berries and grapefruit.”
KEY POINTS
80% Pinot Noir and 20% Chardonnay with 12.5% abv. Organically farmed and hand-harvested from land in Bouzy. 4g/litre dosage.
Grown in: Bouzy, Champagne, FRANCE.
Food Pairing
Rounded and bright Champers like this can take on a lot with food, so it’s a perfect canapé celebration partner. It excels above and beyond with a strong, mature Manchego.
Disclosure & Price
Tasted at the Beckford Bottle Shop annual tasting.
£57.95 Beckford Bottle Shop, Bath.
Reviewed and tasted: 5 November 2022
About the Producer
Lucien Collard established his family’s Champagne House in 1919 when he married Julia Bara. Bara was from a wine family who had settled in the region of the Bouzy Grand Cru in 1833. Today Lucien Collard (the original Lucien’s grandson) and his god daughter Auriane manage just two hectares of vineyard estate, divided between Bouzy and Celles sur Ource. Champagnes they produce are organically farmed with low use of sulphur and low dosages.
