Valentin Leflaive : Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Sigma 20 4.0

Characteristics and tasting recommendations of the Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Sigma 20 4.0 by Valentin Leflaive

Tasting

Nose
The bouquet reveals a beautiful aromatic complexity with notes of fresh white fruits, accompanied by yuzu citrus aromas and white flowers such as jasmine. Touches of acacia honey complete this elegant and fresh olfactory palette.

Palate
The attack is delicate with fine bubbles that caress the palate. The creamy and mineral texture fully reveals the expression of the limestone terroir. The saline and refreshing finish, highlighted by the low dosage, offers a remarkable savory length.

Food and wine pairings

This champagne pairs perfectly with a citrus and combava sea bream tartare seasoned with Timut pepper.

Serving and aging

Best enjoyed at a temperature between 8°C and 10°C. This champagne can be appreciated until around 2030.

A Côte des Blancs champagne showcasing the pure expression of chardonnay

The estate

The Maison de Champagne Valentin Leflaive was born from the meeting of two great French traditions: the Burgundy savoir-faire of the Leflaive family and the prestigious terroir of Champagne. Founded in 2015 by Olivier Leflaive, the renowned winemaker of Puligny-Montrachet, the house was created with the aim of transposing the excellence and precision of fine Burgundy whites to the production 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 expressing 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 batches, with meticulous attention paid to aging (often partly in barrels), low dosages and aromatic purity. Valentin Leflaive thus embodies a pure, elegant style that appeals to enthusiasts of signature wines.

The vineyard

This Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Sigma 20 4.0 is made from grapes from seven prestigious villages of the Côte des Blancs: Cramant, Chouilly, Villeneuve, Grauves, Oger, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger and Avize. The 40-year-old chardonnay vines thrive on clay-limestone and chalky soils, between 100 and 210 meters in altitude. The southeast exposure promotes optimal ripening of the grapes. Sustainable viticulture guides the management of these great Champenois vineyards.

The letters define the grape variety and/or parcel of each cuvée, while the numbers indicate the years of the reserve wines used and the dosage. Thus, this cuvée, produced from numerous parcels, has the base wine from the year 2020 and 4.0 g is the sugar dosage per liter.

Winemaking and aging

After the hand-harvest, fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks and oak barrels. This Blanc de Blancs, bottled in March 2021, undergoes a 31-month aging on the lees, which develops the finesse of the bubbles and aromatic complexity.

Grape variety

100% chardonnay. This cuvée includes 28% reserve wines, which bring complexity and depth to the final blend.