The Fins Lieux No. 6 Verzenay Grand Cru 2016 cuvée from Champagne Péhu Simonet is the house's very first Blanc de Blancs. Made from Chardonnay grapes grown on the Basses Correttes plot in Verzenay Grand Cru, this champagne offers a unique interpretation of the Montagne de Reims terroir, which is usually dominated by Pinot Noir. Elegance, tension, and purity are the key words here.
The production of Champagne Péhu Simonet Fins Lieux No. 6 Verzenay Grand Cru 2016
This single-vineyard cuvée is made exclusively from Chardonnay grapes grown in the Basses Correttes vineyard in Verzenay Grand Cru. With Fins Lieux n°6, David Péhu has created his first blanc de blancs, a way of transposing his precise and taut style to a terroir dominated by Pinot Noir. He sought to reveal the chalky energy and freshness of Chardonnay through vinification entirely in stainless steel vats, without artifice, in order to preserve the purity of the fruit and the identity of the cru.
- The Chardonnay brings integrity, brightness, and mineral tension.
The terroir
The Basses Correttes plot is located on the northern flank of Verzenay Grand Cru, in the heart of the Montagne de Reims. The fine-textured chalky soils provide ideal drainage and produce grapes rich in minerality. The temperate exposure and cool winds give the Chardonnay a slow and balanced ripening. The vineyard is managed according to principles that promote soil life and the expression of the terroir.
Vinification
Vinification and aging are carried out exclusively in stainless steel vats in order to preserve the tension and aromatic precision of the Chardonnay. Fermentation with indigenous yeasts, no oak, for a straightforward and chiseled style. The wine then rests for over 60 months on lees in the cellars before disgorging. The final dosage, Extra Brut, highlights the natural freshness of the wine and the purity of the vintage.
The 2016 vintage
The year 2016 was marked by contrasts: a wet spring followed by a hot, dry summer. These conditions produced juicy, concentrated grapes with a perfect balance between richness and acidity. In Verzenay, the Chardonnay expresses a rare aromatic intensity, with aromas of ripe citrus, candied lemon, and white flowers, carried by a chalky texture. A vintage that is both luminous and structured.
Tasting notes
Color
Pale gold with green highlights, fine and sustained effervescence. Clear brilliance typical of Verzenay Chardonnay.
Nose
Lively and precise, with notesof citrus, lemon, and grapefruit, enhanced by a floral touch and a hint of light honey. With aeration, chalk and green apple appear elegantly.
Palate
Straightforward and salty attack. Slender and energetic texture, perfect balance between tension and finesse. Aromas of ripe citrus, apple, and white flowers. Long, fresh, and delicately chalky finish.
Food pairing
Its chalky purity and lemony freshness make it an ideal companion for seafood and iodine-rich dishes.
- Fine oysters
- Lime-marinated sea bass carpaccio
- Comté cheese gougères
- Pan-fried scallops
- Steamed cod and parsnip purée
- Poultry with preserved lemon
- Lemon meringue pie
- Roasted white peaches
- Orange blossom macarons
Storage and serving
How to store this cuvée
Store the Fins Lieux No. 6 Verzenay Grand Cru 2016 at 10–12°C in a stable, humid cellar away from light. Thanks to its balance and extended aging, it will develop aromas of dried fruit, fresh butter, and brioche. It can be stored for 8 to 15 years depending on the format and storage conditions.
Aging potential
Optimal window: 2025–2040. Between 2025 and 2030, the wine expresses its lemony tension and chalky precision. From 2031 to 2038, it gains roundness, revealing notes of hazelnut and honey. From 2039 onwards, the texture becomes caressing and the minerality blends into great harmony.
How to serve Fins Lieux No. 6 2016?
We recommend serving Fins Lieux n°6 2016 at 9–10°C in a slender tulip glass or a fine white wine glass. A few minutes of aeration is enough to reveal the complexity of the Chardonnay.
