Fabrice Pouillon's Cuvée Les Valnons 2011 is a Blanc de Blancs Champagne made from a single plot in the Aÿ terroir, one of the few Champagne terroirs classified as Grand Cru.
It's a totally atypical cuvée, since the Aÿ terroir is renowned for its Pinots Noirs, and hardly any Chardonnay is found there.
It's a parcel-based cuvée that evolves in a vinous, aromatic register.
This cuvée is aged entirely in barrels to bring out the roundness and richness of the Chardonnay.
The dosage is Extra Brut, of the order of 2g/l, to allow the wine to express itself unvarnished.
Les Valnons 2011 is a generous champagne, with a slight hint of oxidation, and good volume on the palate.
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