Leclerc Briant La Croisette Brut

Champagne La Croisette Brut bottle image

Wine Description

Leclerc Briant was an early adopter of organic practices beginning in the 1960’s and pioneered the concept of single-vineyard Champagne beginning in the 1970’s. Fifth generation vigneron, Pascal Leclerc began following biodynamic principles in 1988, with part of the production Demeter certified since 2003. Today, enologist Hervé Jestin continues the legacy of this visionary house.

24.7 acres of vineyard are spread between the Premier Cru villages of Cumières, Hautvillers, Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, Bisseuil in the Vallée de la Marne, Villers-Allerand and Rilly la Montagne in Montagne de Reims and in the Grand Cru village of Le Mesnil Sur Oger in the Côte des Blancs. Leclerc Briant also holds long term contracts with another 19.7 acres of organically farmed vineyards.

La Croisette is the jewel of Leclerc Briant, a 1.5 acre vineyard adjacent the winery in Épernay, remarkably never treated with chemicals. "La Croisette" is the name of a little pathway near the winery that overlooks Épernay and lends its name to the vineyard. This 100% Chardonnay spends 10 months in a mix of oak barrels and terra cotta eggs, and then minimum of 24 to 36 months sur lattes. The wine receives no dosage. 2,500 bottles produced.

accordion plus icons
Acclaim
“A delicate Champagne, weaving notes of juicy nectarine, biscuit and candied ginger together. Pleasingly chalky and fresh. Disgorged January 2019.”
— Wine Spectator, Dec 2019
“Rich, almost coconutty nose. Intense and seductive. Smooth texture. Very sumptuous.” (18 out of 20 points)
— Jancis Robinson, Aug 2019
View more acclaim Arrow Right
accordion plus icons
Vineyard & Production Info
Soil composition
Clay-Loam
Elevation:
264-396 feet
Vines/acre:
3200-3600
Yield/acre:
3.9-4.8 tons
Year vineyard planted:
1958
Harvest time:
September
Bottles produced of this wine:
2,100
Average Vine Age:
40
Certified Eco-Friendly Practices:
Biodynamic-Demeter
Certifying Organizations:
Ecocert
accordion plus icons
Winemaking & Aging
Prefermentation Technique:
Static Settling
Time on its skins:
12-36 hours
Varietal composition:
100% Chardonnay
Fermentation container:
Stainless steel tanks
Length of alcoholic fermentation:
15-45 days
Fermentation temperature:
61-79 °F
Malolactic fermentation:
Yes
Type of aging container:
Barrels and Terracotta
Type of oak:
French
Length of aging before bottling:
10 months
Age of Aging Container:
2-7 years
Length of bottle aging:
24-36 months
accordion plus icons
Analytical Data
pH level:
3
Acidity:
6.4 g/L
Alcohol:
12 %
Dry extract:
25.8 g/L
Residual sugar:
3 g/L