Pertois-Lebrun

Derrière Le Mont Aigu n°16 | Bottle 75cl

Description

Description & elaboration

The Derrière Le Mont Aigu n°16 cuvée from Pertois-Lebrun is a single-vineyard champagne from Chouilly, classified Grand Cru. It is a champagne with notes of fresh citrus and white flowers — enhanced by a hint of biscuit — underpinned by a very digestible minerality on the palate. Its taut structure makes it a natural companion for seafood. This blanc de blancs is produced in only 1,625 bottles.

Clément Pertois and Antoine Lebrun represent the fifth family generation. They vinify this plot with a rigorous approach.

The Terroir

The lieu-dit Derrière le Mont Aigu enjoys a full south-facing exposure in the village of Chouilly, on the Côte des Blancs, resting on chalk. The family planted this 59.30-are plot in 1955. The vines, over sixty years old, plunge their roots into a subsoil of pure, near-surface chalk that imparts a pronounced salinity to the juice. Cultivation practices comply with the HVE certification guidelines.

Vinification

Made exclusively from Chardonnay, this is a pure single-vineyard Blanc de blancs. Indigenous yeasts trigger the first alcoholic fermentation at 17 °C, a threshold that preserves the fruit's primary aromas. Spontaneous malolactic fermentation then softens the wine.

The wines are aged in stainless steel tanks for the majority of the blend, complemented by 38% oak barrels, which add roundness and depth over time. Only 1,625 bottles were produced. Dosed at 3 g/L of sugar, the Derrière Le Mont Aigu n°16 cuvée is a wine with no perceptible residual sweetness.

The 2016 Vintage

The 2016 growing season demanded constant vigilance from the winegrowers. Spring brought intense fungal pressure. Late frost episodes hit the vineyard, reducing yields. Fortunately, the vegetative cycle stabilised in August.

These warm and very dry weeks accelerated the ripening of the grapes. The late-September harvest took place under clear skies. The Chardonnay drew on the chalk's water reserves, generating a remarkable nervous tension. The berries harvested in Chouilly display an ideal sugar-to-acidity ratio for long ageing.

Tasting Notes

• Appearance

  The Derrière Le Mont Aigu n°16 cuvée reveals a crystalline brilliance. Fine bubbles feed a steady stream of pale gold highlights.

• Nose

  On the nose, the aromatic expression opens with chalky stone notes giving way to fresh lemon.

• Palate

  On the palate, this champagne delivers a straight, energetic attack. The lively texture stretches to a saline finish.

Food Pairing Suggestions

Canapés & Starters

• Salmon tartare with dill
• Scallop carpaccio
• Natural oysters

Main Courses

• John Dory fillet
• Sea bass in coconut milk
• White-fleshed fish

Cheese & Desserts

• Creamy Chaource
• Fresh ash-coated goat's cheese
• Beaufort d'alpage

The Plus de Bulles Expert's Opinion

Advice

How to store this champagne?

Plus de Bulles ships this bottle (75 cl) in reinforced cartons specially designed for champagne transport. Once received, store the bottle horizontally, away from light — ideally in a cellar, or failing that, in a cool, not too dry place at a stable temperature.

Ageing Potential

The natural acidity of Chouilly Chardonnay ensures the fine ageing of the Derrière Le Mont Aigu n°16 cuvée. It has an estimated ageing potential of 15 years.

• Until 2026: the cuvée will express its fruity notes with intense aromas of fresh citrus and flint.
• From 2028: the champagne will evolve towards floral notes, biscuit, brioche and ripe pear.
• Around 2031: the 2016 vintage of the Derrière Le Mont Aigu n°16 cuvée will reach its aromatic peak with beautiful notes of almond and light honey.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this cuvée between 10–12 °C. Use a tulip-shaped glass for tasting. An overly wide glass causes the carbon dioxide to dissipate too quickly. This temperature range releases the tertiary ageing aromas while preserving the chalky expression of the finish.

A Note on This Cuvée

The Les Fidèles collection brings together the estate's single-vineyard wines. The 2016 edition celebrates the deep-rootedness of Chouilly's oldest vines. This approach is reminiscent of a great blanc de blancs champagne from the house, vinified with the same exacting standards. These two cuvées illustrate the geological diversity of the Côte des Blancs.

Extended ageing on the lees tempers the wine's initial vivacity without dulling its precision. Lovers of straight acidity will appreciate the clarity of the finish. This profile shares similarities with the chiselled Côte des Blancs Chardonnay from the same estate. The Grand Cru designation certifies the strict origin of the grapes.