R. Pouillon NV Champagne Extra Brut 'Grande Vallee'

“Quite unique. As if a Selosse had offspring with Tissot’s Cremant ‘Indigene’. Will certainly appeal to those seeking their Selosse (or his students, e.g.: Prevost) fix at a fraction of the price.

65% Pinot Noir; 20% Pinot Meunier; 15% Chardonnay.

Reserve wines from old solera. Oxidatively handled. 2g/L dosage.

Stops you in your track. Deep onion skin, bronze highlights. Earth and minerals dance together with dried orange peel and yellow peach-skin to an oxidative, nutty beat. Intensely saline as well; sea spray and crushed oyster shells. The palate is fresh, fine and light; with strong phenolic presence and an alert quality to the acidity that belies the colour and aromatic presence. Red apple and some freeze dried strawberry, further dried citrus peels, mineral nuances; long and lip-smacking close. Gastronomic and gourmand.

I initially did not warm to this but writing this note I feel myself reaching for another close. Consider me converted”

— David