Grand Cru Millésimé - 2013
Maurice Vesselle
- Region
- France » Champagne AOC » Montagne de Reims » Bouzy
- Type
- white traditional sparkling, brut
- Producer
- Maurice Vesselle
- Vintage
- 2013
- Disgorged
- N/A
- On lees
- ~96 months
- Grapes
- Pinot Noir, Chardonnay
- Alcohol
- 12
- Sugar
- 3
- Volume
- 750 mL
- Cellar
- 3 bottles
- Find at
The Brut Millésime 2013 from Maurice Vesselle is composed of 80% Pinot Noir and 20% Chardonnay. The alcoholic fermentation is conducted in stainless steel vats, and the wine does not undergo malolactic fermentation. This choice maintains the wine's natural freshness and delicate characteristics. The champagne is aged for a minimum of eight years in the cellar.
Ratings
This is a lovely bottle that seems to have remained consistent over the past year. It exhibits delightful aromas of baked apples, honey, Sherry, white flowers, and a touch of wet cellar. On the palate, it is intense and crisp (no MLF), with an almost perfect balance, great mousse, and a long aftertaste. Rich, complex, and absolutely delicious.
The wine's bouquet reflects its age yet retains a robust fruit character. It offers aromas of baked apples, honey, Jerez, Gorgonzola cheese, white flowers, and a damp cellar note. Structurally sound, it's quite intense and generous, yet maintains a focused profile, possibly due to blocked MLF. The aftertaste is long, evolving, and rich in flavours. While not the most complex, it's a commendable wine that merits attention and appreciation.
This wine displays intriguing notes of bruised apple, Jerez, honey, cider, and lemon tart. It has a racy, intense, and multilayered character, enhanced by good acidity. The absence of MLF adds to its distinctiveness, contributing to its overall appeal.
Maurice Vesselle
The Champagne House Maurice Vesselle, established in 1955 in Bouzy by Maurice Vesselle, is now led by his sons, Didier and Thierry. They manage the 7.5 hectares of family vineyards, upholding the legacy and values of their father. The vineyards are situated in Bouzy and Tours sur Marne, on the Montagne de Reims, an area exclusively classified as 'Grand Cru'. The Vesselle brothers are deeply committed to preserving their terroir, employing traditional methods like hilling up, ploughing, and ripping across all vines. Their dedication to environmentally friendly practices is highlighted by their HVE (High Environmental Value) certification.
The House is renowned for its prestigious range of vintages from 1976, which are a testament to the rich terroir of Bouzy and Tours sur Marne. The champagnes primarily feature Pinot Noir with a smaller amount of Chardonnay. Didier and Thierry Vesselle choose not to use malolactic fermentation in their winemaking process to preserve the freshness and finesse of their wines.