Champagne Miniere F & R
Brut Zero Champagne Blend
Champagne, France
This expression of F & R Miniere’s “Brut Zero” has a 2016 base vintage with just over 20% of the 2015 vintage. This is my second time enjoying this cuvée and I like it even more now than I did three years ago.
Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The wine pours a straw color with a persistent mousse. On the nose, the wine is developing with bright, tart and ripe tropical, stone and orchard fruits: passion fruit, lime, green apples, lemon curd, ginger, brioche, nuts, and lovely minerals. On the palate, the wine is bone dry with high acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and full of limestone minerals. I really adore these wines from Frederic and Rodolphe Miniere…now I just need to find better access. Drink now through 2036. Disgorged 08/2021.
This expression of F & R Miniere’s “Brut Zero” has a 2016 base vintage with just over 20% of the 2015 vintage. This is my second time enjoying this cuvée and I like it even more now than I did three years ago.
Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The wine pours a straw color with a persistent mousse. On the nose, the wine is developing with bright, tart and ripe tropical, stone and orchard fruits: passion fruit, lime, green apples, lemon curd, ginger, brioche, nuts, and lovely minerals. On the palate, the wine is bone dry with high acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and full of limestone minerals. I really adore these wines from Frederic and Rodolphe Miniere…now I just need to find better access. Drink now through 2036. Disgorged 08/2021.
Brought to Tasting Group; presented double-blind (I wanted to hear the taster say, “evidence of gas”…which never gets mentioned since nobody ever brings sparkles). I digress. The wine pours a burnished rose gold color with a persistent mousse. On the nose, baked Granny Smith apple, lemon rind, apricot, macerated raspberries and whipping cream. That palate dazzles with the same, aforementioned fruit though, the apricot comes across more pronounced. There are chalky minerals too. The wine is dry but has a compelling, sweet attack. Acid is medium+. A very long, creamy and almost saline finish that’s immensely satisfying. Some called Franciacorta, some Cava and some Limoux but most called NV Champagne. Blinding sparkling wine can often be tricky. Anyway, this Minière F & R Brut Zero was loved by all. This bottle was heavily based (79%) on the 2016 vintage with the balance coming from 2015. Basically 1/3, 1/3, 1/3 of Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay respectively. Disgorged 08/2021.
Brought to Tasting Group; presented double-blind (I wanted to hear the taster say, “evidence of gas”…which never gets mentioned since nobody ever brings sparkles). I digress. The wine pours a burnished rose gold color with a persistent mousse. On the nose, baked Granny Smith apple, lemon rind, apricot, macerated raspberries and whipping cream. That palate dazzles with the same, aforementioned fruit though, the apricot comes across more pronounced. There are chalky minerals too. The wine is dry but has a compelling, sweet attack. Acid is medium+. A very long, creamy and almost saline finish that’s immensely satisfying. Some called Franciacorta, some Cava and some Limoux but most called NV Champagne. Blinding sparkling wine can often be tricky. Anyway, this Minière F & R Brut Zero was loved by all. This bottle was heavily based (79%) on the 2016 vintage with the balance coming from 2015. Basically 1/3, 1/3, 1/3 of Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay respectively. Disgorged 08/2021.
May 4th, 2022