Champagne Bauchet – 2009 – Premier Cru Brut

Quite deep colour here, medium intense golden, quite creamy, but the bubbles are rather fine. So I think this is indicating a certain maturity, perhaps a high proportion of black skinned varieties. Intense and ripe nose. Still quite youthful in terms of fruitiness. I get here a quite good mix of Pinot and Chardonnay, I would say; some plum, and red berry notes, but also those more zesty and vibrant lemon, lime, some mineral notes as well. Medium weight on the palate, quite a good gripe. There is a slight phenolic presence there, still with a very youthful acidity. Quite concentrated fruit, appearing more youthful on the palate than on the nose. Still not with a lot of autolytic notes but more a youthful expression on the fruity side. However well balanced for that style. With a vivid freshness, still youthful fruit, obviously with a potential to keep developing, gaining complexity and harmony. Fairly long persistence on the finish, feeling to me like a blend of quite classic Pinot and Chardonnay blend. Of good quality for further aging.

Tasted by the Best Sommelier of the World, Andreas Larsson.