Armand de Brignac : Blanc de Noirs Assemblage 5

Characteristics and tasting tips for the Blanc de Noirs Assemblage 5NM Armand de Brignac

Tasting

Nose
The nose reveals remarkable aromatic complexity. The first notes recall dried fruit with almonds and toasted walnuts. Intense aromas of black fruit like plum, fig, and blackcurrant follow. An exotic dimension appears next with mango, papaya, and kiwi. A saline and iodized note brings freshness and liveliness. With aeration, the bouquet evolves towards notes of pastry cream, honey, orange blossom, and a subtle nuance of roasted coffee.

Palate
The attack on the palate builds progressively in intensity. Black fruit, both fresh and candied, dominates the aromatic palette, accompanied by pink grapefruit zest, which brings a tangy dimension. Notes of bergamot appear subtly, while a comforting warmth reminiscent of Italian Amaretti cookies enriches the whole. The finish is characterized by its distinct salinity, accents of bright cherry, and a refined minerality reminiscent of pencil shavings. The aromatic freshness lingers long on the palate.

Food and wine pairing
This Blanc de Noirs Champagne pairs perfectly as an apéritif with caviar or foie gras. It also elegantly accompanies algae-based Japanese dishes, whose umami resonates with the wine's salinity. For main courses, it pairs harmoniously with tender red meat such as pigeon or lamb, but also with grilled sea bass, clams, or razor clams. For cheese, opt for hard cheeses like Comté, Beaufort, or Parmesan.

Service and storage
The Blanc de Noirs Assemblage 5 is ideally stored in the cellar at a temperature between 12 and 14°C. For tasting, it is recommended to serve it between 8 and 9°C in a tulip-shaped glass to fully reveal its aromatic complexity. This Champagne has a cellaring potential that can reach until around 2044.

A powerful and complex Champagne from Armand de Brignac

The Producer
Heirs to 250 years of winemaking history, Jean-Jacques Cattier and his son Alexandre are the craftsmen behind the cuvées of the Armand de Brignac Champagne House. Designed by André Courrèges, the estate's bottles are distinguished by their bold design, remarkable proportions, and emblematic Ace of Spades, engraved on a French pewter label.

Only about twenty bottles are carefully crafted by hand each day, testifying to the estate's artisanal approach.

The Vineyard
"Assemblage 5" is a Blanc de Noirs sourced mainly from plots located on Premier Cru and Grand Cru classified terroirs of Champagne in the Montagne de Reims. The grapes come from the villages of Chigny-les-Roses, Verzenay, Rilly-la-Montagne, Verzy, Ludes, Meurville, and Mailly-Champagne. A small proportion also comes from the Aube, bringing richness and red fruit expression to the blend. These exceptional terroirs allow the Pinot Noir to express all its power and complexity.

The Blend
This fifth edition of Armand de Brignac's Blanc de Noirs is a multi-vintage blend composed of 70% from the 2016 vintage, complemented by 20% from the 2015 vintage and 10% from the 2014 vintage. This composition makes it possible to achieve a remarkable balance between structure, freshness, and aromatic complexity.

Winemaking and Aging
The Blanc de Noirs Assemblage 5 benefits from extended aging of 7 years on lees, giving the wine its aromatic depth and creamy texture. This cuvée represents the evolution of the House's first Blanc de Noirs, launched in 2015 under the name Assemblage No. 1. Production is extremely limited with only 8,165 bottles produced for this edition. Each bottle is individually numbered, guaranteeing its unique and exclusive character. The dosage is 6 g/L.

Grape Variety
This cuvée is produced exclusively from Pinot Noir (100%), the emblematic grape variety of Champagne, which brings power, structure, and aromatic complexity.