Adrien Renoir

Les Montants 2020 | Magnum 150cl

Description

Champagne Adrien Renoir's Les Montants 2020 is a rare and unique cuvée made from a Blanc de Blancs from the Verzy Grand Cru terroir. Offered here in magnum format, it highlights a unique lieu-dit with its straightforward expression and purity.

The production of Champagne Les Montants 2020 Adrien Renoir

Les Montants 2020 comes exclusively from Chardonnay grapes harvested in the eponymous lieu-dit in Verzy Grand Cru. The grapes are harvested manually, plot by plot, with visual sorting during picking to ensure healthy, ripe berries.

The grapes are gently pressed to extract clear, precise juices. The musts are then transferred to oak barrels for gentle fermentation, driven by indigenous yeasts. This aging in wood aims for slow micro-oxygenation, without aromatic marking, to gain texture while preserving the integrity of the fruit. Malolactic fermentation is carried out in its entirety in order to round out the acidity.

The cuvée is bottled in July 2021. At disgorging, a dosage of 1 g/L positions the cuvée as a very lightly dosed Extra Brut. This choice emphasizes the terroir and the chalky energy of Verzy.

The 2020 vintage

The 2020 cycle was early. A mild winter and a hot, dry summer led to excellent ripeness. The grapes were harvested at full maturity to capture the density of the Chardonnay without losing its tension. The wines have integrated acidity, a salty structure, and precise balance, perfectly in line with a minimalist approach to aging.

Tasting notes

• Color

  Bright, light gold with green highlights. Fine, regular effervescence thanks to long aging on lees and bottling in large formats.

• Nose

  Citrus and white flowers, flint, hints of brioche and vanilla due to aging in wood. Precise overall, without excessive woodiness.

• Palate

  Lively and chiseled attack, taut mid-palate. Candied orange, lemon, chalky notes, persistent salty finish.

Pairing suggestions

Appetizer bites

• Fresh oysters with lemon
• Smoked salmon canapés
• Sea bream tartare with citrus fruits

Main courses

• Pan-fried scallops on celery purée
• Risotto with asparagus and Parmesan cheese
• Sea bass fillet in a salt crust

Desserts

• Lemon meringue pie
• Vanilla macaroons
• Yuzu sorbet

Storage, serving, and size

Magnum format

The magnum offers a slower evolution. The mousse gains in finesse. The balance is more harmonious. Ideal for the table and special occasions.

Temperature and glassware

Serve between 10–12°C in a slender white wine glass. Serve at a lower temperature as an aperitif, and slightly higher with food. Avoid serving too cold, as this will freeze the texture.

Opening

Open a few minutes before serving. Gentle aeration in the glass is sufficient. Decanting is not necessary. Handle the magnum without shaking.

Storage

Store the magnum horizontally, away from light, at a stable temperature of 10–12°C. The 2020 vintage can be cellared for 10 to 15 years in large formats.