Valentin Leflaive : Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Mesnil sur Oger 17 5.0

Characteristics and Tasting Tips for the Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Mesnil sur Oger 17 5.0 by Valentin Leflaive

Tasting

Nose
The bouquet reveals a refined aromatic palette combining notes of citrus (mandarin) and verbena.

Palate
The attack is lively and elegant, supported by a creamy texture and fine bubbles. The palate expresses a beautiful minerality typical of the terroir, sustained by pronounced acidity that imparts freshness and length. The mineral finish lingers with subtle spicy notes.

Food Pairings

This champagne pairs perfectly with caviar, Croisic langoustines, Brittany lobster or grilled turbot on a plancha.

Service and Aging

Serve ideally at a temperature between 8°C and 10°C. This cuvée can rest in cellars until around 2027 to fully appreciate its freshness.

The minerality and richness of a Grand Cru Champagne from the Côte des Blancs

The estate

The House of Champagne Valentin Leflaive was born from the meeting of two great French traditions: the Burgundian expertise of the Leflaive family and the prestigious terroir of Champagne. Created in 2015 by Olivier Leflaive, the famed winemaker of Puligny-Montrachet, the house was founded with the desire to transpose the excellence and precision of the great white Burgundies to the crafting of terroir-driven Champagnes. The name Valentin is that of Olivier's son, born in 2007.

The approach is parcel-based, demanding and resolutely focused on the expression of the Chardonnay grape variety, mainly sourced from the Côte des Blancs (Avize, Mesnil-sur-Oger, etc.). Each cuvée reflects a unique identity, vinified in small volumes, with meticulous attention paid to aging (often partial in barrels), low dosages and aromatic purity. Valentin Leflaive thus embodies a pure, elegant style that appeals to enthusiasts of artisanal wines.

The vineyard

This Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs is made exclusively from grapes grown in Grand Cru parcels located in Mesnil-sur-Oger, on the prestigious terroir Champenois of the Côte des Blancs. The Chardonnay vines, aged 20 years, flourish on outcropping chalk and flint soils at 150 meters altitude. The south and southeast exposures promote optimal ripening of the grapes, harvested by hand according to the principles of sustainable viticulture.

The letters define the grape variety and/or the plot of each cuvée, and the figures indicate the years of the reserve wines used as well as the dosage. Thus, this cuvée was born on the parcels of Mesnil-sur-Oger, 2017 is the year of the base blend and finally 5.0 g is the sugar dosage per liter.

Vinification and Aging

After manual harvest, fermentation takes place in stainless steel vats. This Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs benefits from an extended 50-month aging on laths, enriched by the incorporation of 12% reserve wines that bring complexity and depth. Bottling took place in June 2018.

Grape Variety

100% Chardonnay