Description & elaboration
The Reflet cuvée by Clément Bertrand is a champagne with notes of yellow fruits — fresh pear — and touches of golden pastry. On the palate, the texture is smooth and taut, ideal for an aperitif or a gastronomic meal. This estate with a confidential production crafts its cuvées with rare exacting standards.
The Terroir
The vineyard of Clément Bertrand extends across Prouilly, in the Massif de Saint-Thierry. This northerly area brings continental temperatures that preserve the natural acidity of the grapes.
The vines are planted on south-east facing slopes, on soils with a sandy-silty composition dating from the Thanetian period. This permeable structure encourages rainwater infiltration while maintaining constant moisture at depth for the vines.
The estate holds the Haute Valeur Environnementale certifications and Viticulture Durable en Champagne.
The winemaking
The blend brings together 50% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir and 20% Meunier. The Chardonnay provides a mineral, taut backbone at the heart of the cuvée's architecture. The Pinot Noir adds structure and body, while the Meunier contributes fruit.
35% of the musts ferment in oak barrels, lending the characteristic brioche and almond notes typical of wood ageing. Malolactic fermentation is carried out in full for this cuvée.
The remaining 65% ferment in stainless steel tanks, preserving the aromatic freshness of the base wine. The wine then rests 36 months on lees (in contact with the yeasts), gradually developing its autolytic complexity.
After disgorgement, the dosage liqueur (a sweetened mixture added to adjust the style) sets the dosage at 3 g/L. The magnum then rests a further six months before shipment, allowing the wine and liqueur to harmonise perfectly.
A non-vintage champagne
This edition is based exclusively on the 2022 harvest, although the vintage is not declared. The year 2022 recorded a marked summer rainfall deficit. The heat peaks prevented the development of downy mildew, and the water table kept the vines in good hydric condition.
The Chardonnay delivered remarkable ripeness at harvest, with an exceptional sugar-acidity balance. The Pinot Noir expresses clean aromas of red fruits, while the Meunier brings its characteristic roundness on the mid-palate.
Tasting Notes
Appearance
The colour reveals a pale gold hue with brilliant silver highlights. Fine, continuous bubbles animate the glass, a sign of slow ageing in the cellar.
Nose
On the nose, very expressive fresh pear notes open first. Touches of toasted brioche and almond follow, reflecting the partial ageing in oak barrels.
Palate
On the palate, the smooth texture unfolds with precision. The saline tension of the terroir responds to flavours of mirabelle plum and citrus. The finish lingers beautifully, carried by a restrained dosage.
Food pairing suggestions
- Comté gougères (18-month aged)
- Smoked salmon toasts
- Truffle white tarama
- Roast Bresse chicken
- Morel mushroom risotto
- Grilled sea bass fillet
- Raw milk Chaource
- Truffle Brie de Meaux
- Thin apple tart
The advantages of the magnum
The magnum contains exactly 1.5 litres of wine, equivalent to twelve to fifteen tasting flutes. It is a format that enhances the wine thanks to a headspace under the cork identical to that of a standard bottle, halving the impact of oxygen.
This minimal aeration slows the wine's evolution over time. The internal pressure remains more stable. The wine develops its aromas more slowly and more profoundly.
The Plus de Bulles expert's opinion
Why I love it
What moves me about this cuvée is its mineral brilliance paired with genuine fruity flesh. I was captivated by its delicate bubble sustaining brioche notes, before a finish of tension and salinity.
My recommendation
Serve at 8–9 °C in a wine glass to fully release its aromas. It will pair beautifully with a fine roasted poultry dish.
Advice
How to store this champagne?
Plus de Bulles ships this magnum (1.5 L) in specially designed shock-resistant boxes for champagne transport. Upon receipt, store it horizontally, away from light. Ideally in a cellar; alternatively, in a cool, not too dry place at a stable temperature.
Ageing potential
The Reflet by Clément Bertrand in magnum benefits from the inertia inherent to this large format, for a keeping potential of approximately 6 to 8 years. The wine's slow evolution over time progressively enriches its aromatic profile.
- Drink now: this magnum expresses primary aromatics with citrus notes.
- After 3 years: the slow evolution reveals aromas of toasted brioche.
- After 6 years: with time, notes of almond and gentle spice unfold.
Serving suggestions
Serve this magnum at 8–9 °C in a large tulip glass to concentrate the aromas. Open the magnum fifteen minutes before serving to allow the oak-aged notes to fully express themselves.
A note about this cuvée
The name Reflet captures the geological imprint of the Massif de Saint-Thierry: the winemaker draws out the signature of Prouilly's sands and silts in every cuvée. This level of dedication defines the philosophy of this family estate.
Enthusiasts will also want to explore the blanc de meunier by Clément Bertrand. This cuvée shares the same oak vinification and unfiltered approach, preserving the full integrity of the wine's character.
