Fresne Ducret - Le Chemin du Chemin, Champagne 1er Cru, France (NV)

 TASTING NOTES

Apricot and fresh bread, with floral notes, giving way to more complex notes of praline, hazelnut and shortbread. In the mouth, delicate brioche aromas, creamy and buttery, followed by a savouriness with hints of tea.

Aged for a minimum of 48 months on the lees in underground cellars.

Fresne-Ducret is rich in family history and has been rooted in the premier cru village of Villedommange since the mid 1800s. Originally growing grapes for the big champagne houses, it wasn’t until the end of the second world war that the family decided to make their own wine. The tradition carries on today with Pierre Fresne and his wife Daniella (an Oakville ex-pat). Their philosophy is to produce wines that best exemplify the terroir of Villedommange, and they do this with sustainability in mind.

La Grande Hermine was made using grapes from a single year’s harvest, this vintage champagne is a unique interpretation of the Fresne Ducret style, oscillating between freshness and aromatic complexity. The year 2012 was a difficult one in Champagne, with temperatures as low as -20°C in the winter, mild weather in March that spurred the vines to start putting out buds, frost in April which damaged many of those buds, and rain in May-June which impeded the flowering of the vines. But a beautiful month of August saved the harvest, and while yields were low, quality was exceptional, in particular for the chardonnays.

A beautiful blend of Chardonnay (50%), Pinot Noir (25%), and Pinot Meaunier (25%) grown on calcareous clay soils in Premier Cru vineyards in Villedommange. Vinified and aged 8 months in stainless steel tanks before bottling. Bottled in 2013 with a capsule, and aged in underground cellars for a minimum of 48 months.