The Fins Lieux No. 2 Verzenay Grand Cru 2015 cuvée from Champagne Péhu Simonet is a Blanc de Noirs of rare intensity. This Pinot Noir Grand Cru embodies the power and precision of the Verzenay terroir, enhanced by long aging. A confidential champagne, at once vinous, chiseled, and vibrant.
The production of Champagne Péhu Simonet Fins Lieux No. 2 Verzenay Grand Cru 2015
The Fins Lieux n°2 cuvée is made exclusively from Pinot Noir harvested in the Les Crayères de la voie de Reims locality in Verzenay Grand Cru. The aim of this cuvée is to combine the density of Pinot Noir with the chalky freshness of the terroir to create a full-bodied, deep and pure wine.
- Pinot Noir (100%) brings flesh, structure, and aromatic richness, while retaining a precise minerality.
The terroir
The Les Crayères de la voie de Reims vineyard is located in Verzenay Grand Cru, on the Montagne de Reims. The soil is composed of Campanian chalk mixed with fine clays, giving the wine power and tension. The south-east exposure promotes uniform ripeness and a frank expression of Pinot Noir. The vines are cultivated according to practices inspired by organic viticulture, to preserve the life of the soil and the expression of the cru.
Vinification
The grapes are vinified partly in oak barrels from the Verzy forest, to bring volume and a fine woody patina, and partly in stainless steel vats to preserve freshness. The wine is aged on lees for over 60 months before disgorging. Malolactic fermentation is blocked in order to preserve the wine's tension and verticality. The dosage is 1.5 g/L (Extra Brut), for a pure and mineral expression of the vintage.
The 2015 vintage
The year 2015 was marked by a hot, sunny summer, preceded by a mild, wet winter. The cooler end of the season allowed for slow and balanced ripening, producing dense, juicy grapes with great aromatic purity. In this cuvée, Pinot Noir expresses all its nobility: bright red fruit, sweet spices, and a clear limestone structure. A spectacular vintage, already open but with great aging potential.
Tasting notes
Color
Deep gold with coppery highlights. Fine, regular effervescence. The brightness reflects the density of the Pinot Noir and the depth of the Verzenay terroir.
Nose
Open and expressive, with ripe red fruit, sweet spices, and toasted hazelnut. Hints of gingerbread, wet chalk, and orange peel round out the bouquet.
Palate
Frank and fleshy attack. A vinous and elegant texture, supported by a fine salinity. Candied red fruits, almonds and white pepper linger in a tense, persistent and mineral finish.
Food pairing
This Blanc de Noirs Extra Brut pairs well with savory dishes. It enhances white meats, mature cheeses, and truffled poultry.
- Duck rillettes
- Truffled Brillat-Savarin
- Veal tartare with capers
- Roast pork with morel mushrooms
- Roast free-range poultry
- Pan-fried scallops and parsnip purée
- Honey-roasted apple
- Walnut tart with maple syrup
- Caramelized dried fruit
Storage and serving
How to store this wine
Store Fins Lieux n°2 Verzenay 2015 at 10–12°C in a stable cellar, away from light and vibrations. Thanks to its long aging and minimal dosage, this cuvée will evolve elegantly, developing aromas of dried fruit, hazelnut, and salted butter over the years.
Aging potential
Optimal window: 2025–2040. Between 2025 and 2030, the wine reveals its chalky freshness and red fruit aromas. From 2031 to 2038, it blossoms with notes of honey, fine spices, and dried fruit. From 2039 onwards, the texture becomes more caressing, with the saline tension remaining in the background.
How to serve Fins Lieux n°2 2015?
We recommend serving Fins Lieux n°2 2015 at 10°C in a tulip glass or a slender white wine glass. A few minutes of aeration will reveal the spicy nuances and depth of the Pinot Noir.
