‘Puzzle – La Côte de Bars’

Chardonnay & Pinot Noir, Côte des Bares, France

A plush, lightly oxidative and rare, low-intervention Champagne to bask in. Vigneron Bénédicte Leroy and her husband, Emmanuel, make Champagne from their 3.5 hectare biodynamic estate in the village of Essoyes – nearly atop the Burgundian border – on gently mineral inflecting ancient limestone & clay soils.  A one-time creation, ‘Puzzle’ is a blend of luscious, mineral chardonnay (70%) and earthy, citric direct-pressed pinot noir (30%), fermented and rested on fine lees in large barrels and 500L demi-muids for nine months, then aged on lees in bottles for 18-20 months. Made with grapes from their own parcels as well as grapes that their fellow organic friends and neighbours kindly shared with them following the devastating spring frosts of 2021 that would not have allowed them to produce their normal range of single vintage wines. FUN FACT! Bottled unfined, unfiltered, un-sulphured and with zero dosage! Falling white blossoms, damp tree bark, bruised apples, subtly oxidative, dried fruit bins, hazelnut spread on toasted brioche, rushing minerality & brandishing acidity. Enjoy while taking over the entire dining room table with your newest 3000 piece puzzle, you’re gonna need a team for this one!