Franck Bonville

Millésime Retrouvé 2013 | Bottle 75cl

The colour is a deep golden hue, typical of wines that have matured for several years in the cellar. The reflections are bright and the bubbles are fine, carried by a persistent bead that speaks of great freshness.

The nose opens on lively citrus notes, quickly joined by juicy white orchard fruit and a delicate floral touch. With aeration, deeper aromas emerge, pastry, brioche and almond, the mark of a long rest that has patiently transformed the wine.

The palate opens with a crisp mineral tension, immediately wrapped in a rounded texture made especially silky by the complete malolactic fermentation. The brut dosage allows for generous volume without ever weighing the wine down. The finish is long and saline, echoing the almond notes picked up on the nose.

• Parmesan shortbread
• Comté gougères
• Warm salted almonds

• Turbot in hollandaise sauce
• Bresse chicken in cream sauce
• Seared scallops

• Lemon meringue tart
• Comté aged 24 months
• Almond financier

Plus de Bulles ships this bottle in packaging specially designed for transporting champagne, so it reaches you safely. Once home, lay it on its side: kept horizontal, the cork stays moist and maintains its seal, protecting the wine from air. Store it in a cellar with a stable temperature, avoiding sharp swings, as sudden changes tire the wine and speed up its evolution. Adequate humidity keeps the cork from drying out and letting air in. Keep it away from light too: prolonged exposure can lead to lightstrike, that unpleasant note which spoils the aromas. Finally, avoid vibrations, which disturb the wine over time. Under these conditions, this Millésime 2013 Retrouvé, already at a beautiful point of maturity thanks to its chalky terroir and preserved freshness, will keep evolving gently until you're ready to enjoy it.

The style of the Millésime 2013 Retrouvé from Franck Bonville champagne will keep evolving for many years to come. This is a wine with a cellaring potential of around 18 years.

• From 2026 the wine still shows hints of citrus and white blossom, carried by a crisp, lively freshness.
• Until 2033 toasted brioche and yellow fruit take the lead, offering a more burnished, enveloping texture on the palate.
• Around 2043 stewed fruit, honey and gentle spice notes mark a colour and character that have grown deeply mature.

Serve this Millésime 2013 Retrouvé between 10 and 11°C as an aperitif, or 11-13°C alongside a meal: this brings out its aromas without dulling them. A tulip glass, taller than it is wide, is best, concentrating the aromas towards the nose while still letting the bubbles express themselves. Open the bottle by holding the cork firmly and gently turning the base, avoiding any sudden jolt. This wine needs no decanting: serve it straight away, or perhaps fifteen minutes after leaving the cellar to let it open up gently on the palate.

The name of this cuvée comes from a long-standing tradition at Franck Bonville: in great vintage years, Olivier Bonville, the winemaker at the head of the estate, sets aside a few bottles in the House cellar to age for longer, out of sight. Years later, these forgotten bottles are rediscovered and revealed to the world, hence the name. The Collection Privée 2010 follows the same patient philosophy that runs through the House.