Dehours Grande Réserve Brut Champagne

Dehours Grande Réserve Brut Champagne

Drawn from the entirety of the estate’s holdings, the idea behind this wine is to exemplify the expression of champagne in the vicinity of the domaine, with an emphasis on the prevalent Meunier grape.

Based on 2015, with the balance coming from a solera of reserve wines dating back to 1998, the wine more than meets its remit. There is a tenderness to the fruit that belies the low dosage and testifies to the fastidiousness of the viticulture and wine-making. We don’t use the word “perfect” lightly, but it is appropriate to a champagne like this that so effortlessly evokes the uniqueness of the genre and delivers it in such a seductive fashion.

Country France

Region Champagne

Producer Dehours & Fils

Alcohol by volume 12

Acidity 4.8

Dosage 4.5

Disgorgement Date disgorgement dates varies as we disgorge every month

Annual cases produced 6600 6pks

Varieties Pinot Meunier, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir

Fermentation vessel Stainless Steel

Aging method Used Barrique, Stainless Steel

Aging duration months 18 months in bottle, on lees

Lees Contact Stirring 8 months in barrel / stainless steel tanks & 18 months in bottles.

Added Sulfur Yes <30 mg/L

Vine Age years 35

Farming practices Sustainable

Reviews

Wine Advocate – “Disgorged in July 2019 with 5.5 grams per liter dosage, the NV Dehours Grande Réserve Brut Champagne is based on the 2016 vintage, complemented by around one-third reserve wines from a solera started in 1998. Much like a somewhat earlier disgorgement of the same tirage that I reviewed last year, it’s showing very well, wafting from the glass with notes of pear, mandarin oil, elder flower, smoke and honeycomb. Medium to full-bodied, elegantly fleshy and precise, with a perfumed core of fruit, lively acids and a pearly mousse, it’s beautifully seamless and elegant.” (92 Pts)

Jeb Dunnuck – “The NV Dehours Grande Réserve Brut Champagne is 60% Meunier, 25% Chardonnay, and the rest is Pinot Noir, with 59% coming from the 2019 harvest and the remainder from perpetual reserve. It is ripe with aromas of red cherry, berries, and a delicate vinous touch. This is matched on the palate, which is inviting and rounded with its fruit while being dry, and it has an underlying silky mineral texture. A lovely entry to the range, it is drinking wonderfully now or will continue drinking well over. Best after 2022.” (92 Pts)

Wine Spectator – “A sleek, creamy and well-knit Champagne, with racy acidity enlivening flavors of steeped white cherry and raspberry, tea rose, star anise and smoky mineral. Enjoy this with food—grilled fish, for example.” (91 Pts)