Haute Lemble HL/R19 - 2019
Roses De Jeanne
- Region
- France 禄 Champagne AOC
- Type
- white traditional sparkling, brut
- Producer
- Roses De Jeanne
- Vintage
- 2019
- Disgorged
- 2023
- On lees
- N/A
- Grapes
- Chardonnay
- Alcohol
- 12.5
- Sugar
- 1
- Volume
- 750 mL
- Cellar
- not available
Ratings
As anticipated, this wine was quite polarizing, but it's heartening to see it was well-loved by many. It鈥檚 an expressive and complex wine, exuding sophistication with a captivating nose of sea, shells, bread crust, yellow plum, citrus, mint, pebbles, and tropical fruits, all underlined by a hint of Jerez. On the palate, it is vibrant and round, boasting intensity and a vinous depth with remarkable length. The finish is delicious, offering notes of white chocolate, tropical fruits, kumquat, and fresh dough. It strikes a great balance and stands out as truly unique.
Roses De Jeanne
Roses de Jeanne, established by the visionary Cedric Bouchard in 2000 (after a stint as a sommelier in Paris), represents a paradigm shift in the traditional approach to Champagne production. Taking over his father's vines in the C么te des Bar in the late 1990s, Bouchard embarked on a path that diverged significantly from conventional Champagne methods, embracing a philosophy of single-vineyard, single-variety, single-vintage, and zero-dosage Champagnes.
Bouchard's approach to viticulture is rooted in organic farming, placing a strong emphasis on dramatically reduced yields to maximize quality. This focus on optimal ripeness extends to his meticulous attention in the cellar. Only juice from the first pressing is used, and all fermentations are carried out with indigenous yeast. A long, slow, and cool second fermentation is employed to create smaller, finer bubbles, enhancing the vinosity and precision of his Champagnes.
Initially beginning with just 1.37 hectares in the village of Celles-sur-Ource, Bouchard's philosophy breaks away from the norm of blending different vineyards and vintages, instead focusing on expressing the character of each vintage and vineyard. Bouchard's lineup of Champagnes under the Roses de Jeanne label is a reflection of his commitment to showcasing the unique terroir of each parcel. His portfolio includes (but is not limited by):
- Val Vilaine: 100% Pinot Noir from the lieu-dit of Val Vilaine, producing 300-500 cases annually.
- C么te de Bachelin [La Parcelle]: 100% Pinot Noir from C么te de Bachelin, with a three-year lees ageing, producing 150 cases annually.
- Les Ursules: 100% Pinot Noir from Les Ursules, with the first vintage released in 2014, producing 250-300 cases annually.
- Haute-Lembl茅e: 100% Chardonnay from La Haute Lembl茅e, an extremely limited production.
- Bolor茅e: Rare Pinot Blanc from La Boloree, highly cherished and extremely limited in production.
- Creux d鈥橢nfer Ros茅: 100% Pinot Noir from Le Creux d'Enfer, produced using the saign茅e method, extremely limited in production.
Bouchard's Champagnes are distinguished by their soil-driven personalities, with the terroir of each parcel vividly expressed in every bottle. These wines are the creations of a young, perfectionist vigneron who is poised to revolutionize the landscape of Champagne. Bouchard recommends decanting his Champagnes gently to fully appreciate their unique character and complexity.