Champagne Brut Cuvée Sainte Anne NV 75cl

Even parts of chardonnay and pinot noir naturally fermented in a combination of stainless steel and wood, this has a beautifully pure and fresh nose with almonds, brioche, lemon, chalky stony aromas, light rose, vanilla and strawberry. Beautifully nuanced and detailed palate with a super fine thread of acidity that fuses perfectly ripe fruit that is coated in a sheen of very smooth polished tannins. Delicate, seamless and long, crisp apple finish. Drink now.

A minerally version, with chalk and smoke notes underscoring open-knit flavors of crunchy pear, white raspberry, lemon curd and biscuit. Firm and focused. Disgorged January 2015. Drink now through 2020. 1,200 cases imported.

Chartogne’s NV Brut Cuvee Sainte Anne is an attractive entry-level offering with good mid-palate richness and excellent overall balance. The significant presence of red grapes gives the wine its expansive, broad shouldered frame. The Cuvee Sainte Anne is 47% Pinot Noir, 39% Chardonnay and 14% Pinot Meunier, based on the 2008 vintage, with 28% reserve wine from 2007. Disgorgement date: September 2012. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2015. <br/><br/>The Chartogne-Taillet Champagnes are gorgeous, transparent and focused. This year Alexandre Chartogne has two new single-vineyard wines that reflect his aim to capture the essence of the terroirs in Merfy. Dosage is in the 2-6 grams per liter range, which seems to suit this style very nicely.<br/>