Françoise Bedel Jouvence 2012
- Region
- France » Champagne » Champagne AOC » Vallée de la Marne
- Type
- white still, dry
- Producer
- Vintage
- 2012
- Disgorged
- 2020-01
- On lees
- 72 months
- Grapes
- Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir
- Alcohol
- 12.5
- Sugar
- 5.9
- Volume
- 750 mL
- Cellar
- not available
95% Pinot Meunier & 5% Pinot Noir.
Ratings
This bottle was tasted blind after a lengthy wine-tasting event. I was given two hints - it's available in Garage (Sabotage), and I haven't tasted it yet. Initially (???), my drunken mind suggested Clandestin. But after Vova asked me about the grape, I was like - shit, it's definitely Pinot Meunier. The wine is expressive, complex, aged (hehe, what an irony) and as delicious as promises of Heaven. It must be Bedel, and Jouvence is (probably) the only bottle I haven't tasted so far. Bingo!
What can I say? It's an incredible wine. Charming notes of mushrooms and wet cellar interleaved with honey, brioche, nuts, Jerez and honeysuckle. Intense, saline, perfectly balanced and prolonged. What else do you need? Authentic elixir of youth (c).
About Producer
Françoise Bedel stands out not only for her remarkable journey into winemaking but also for her unique approach to viticulture and winemaking. Hailing from the village of Crouttes-sur-Marne, located on the western edge of Champagne, Bedel's estate is a testament to her dedication and passion for winemaking. Her journey into biodynamic winemaking, inspired by her personal experiences and a deep reverence for nature, has set her apart in a region celebrated for its long-standing conventional vinegrowing and winemaking traditions.
The 8-hectare estate, cultivated with vines aged between 30 and 60 years, reflects Bedel's commitment to biodynamic practices since 1998. This approach, centred around the interplay between soil, subsoil, and the vine's root system, allows for the fullest expression of the terroir in her grapes. The unique bio-dynamic compost used in the vineyards, containing preparations made from yarrow, chamomile, nettle, oak bark, dandelion, and valerian, is a testament to her dedication to fostering a harmonious relationship between the vineyard and its natural environment.
Located in the Marne Valley, known for its quality Pinot Meunier grapes, Bedel's estate predominantly focuses on this variety, along with smaller plantings of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Her Champagnes, often aged for more than six years on the lees, are renowned for their depth and complexity. This extended lees ageing, combined with low or zero dosage, results in Champagnes with significant weight, heft, and lingering acidity.