Joseph Perrier : La Côte à Bras 2016

Tasting Notes and Tips for Joseph Perrier’s La Côte à Bras 2016

Tasting

Appearance

The wine displays a bright golden hue, reflecting the richness and maturity of this Blanc de Noirs.

Nose

The nose reveals floral notes of daffodils and iris, complemented by subtle hints of Genoise sponge cake. With aeration, the bouquet opens up to softer, more indulgent aromas.

Palate

The attack is vibrant and full, driven by a fresh acidity that gives structure to the whole. The palate unveils tangy flavors of freshly pressed citrus, followed by spicy notes of cinnamon and vanilla with lemony accents. The finish stands out for its length and persistence.

Food and Wine Pairings

This Champagne is a perfect match for an aperitif alongside inventive creations. It pairs ideally with sea bass or gilt-head bream carpaccio, white fish ceviche, as well as oysters and raw or marinated langoustines.

Serving and Cellaring

La Côte à Bras 2016 is best enjoyed at a temperature of 10-12°C. This Champagne can be cellared until around 2028.

A Blanc de Noirs from Cumières Expressing the Purity of Champagne’s Terroir

The Estate

Founded in 1825 in Châlons-en-Champagne by Joseph Perrier, the Joseph Perrier House has remained an independent, family-owned business for nearly two centuries. Now run by Benjamin Fourmon, who represents the sixth generation at the head of the House, Joseph Perrier owns around 23 hectares of vineyards. The estate stands out for its exceptional Gallo-Roman cellars stretching over several kilometers, and for its early commitment to sustainable viticulture, with 7.5 hectares certified organic since 2012.

The Vineyard

La Côte à Bras comes from a single plot located in Cumières, rated 93% Premier Cru, on the right bank of the Marne in the Grande Vallée de la Marne. This historic plot, referenced AH83 and acquired by the House in 1888, benefits from full southern exposure on a terroir of pure chalk with a high content of active limestone. The Cumières vineyard, covering 171.6 hectares, is particularly renowned for the quality of its Pinot Noir grown on these sun-drenched slopes, benefiting from the moderating influence of the Marne.

The Vintage

The 2016 vintage proved contrasting and demanding for Champagne winegrowers. Despite climatic challenges during the growing season, a fine summer helped save the harvest, giving rise to fresh, balanced, elegant wines marked by beautiful aromatic finesse.

Winemaking and Aging

Since 2007, Joseph Perrier has vinified this plot separately, following the philosophy “one plot, one grape variety, one year, one wine.” La Côte à Bras 2016 is crafted exclusively from grapes from this lieu-dit, with no dosage added, in order to preserve the purest expression of Cumières’ terroir and the vintage.

Grape Variety

100% Pinot Noir.