NV Duval-Leroy Fleur de Champagne Brut

The Duval-Leroy’s NV Fleur de Champagne reveals a lively, gourmand bouquet of red berries, lemon oil, citrus, herbs and spring flowers. Moderately weighted and fresh, it’s bright and incisive with a delicate mid-palate and a fresh, mouthwatering finish that’s framed by menthol notes.

Tiny bead. Light neutral nose. Really rather frothy with some perceptible dosage but a very good price if it has to be champagne. Liquid, bubble lemon curd. (JR)

Predominantly based on Chardonnay from the Côte des Blancs, the NV Fleur de Champagne Premier Cru Brut is a very delicate and elegant Champagne with a beautiful bouquet of ripe white fruits, pineapples, butterscotch, nougat, brioche and fresh toast. The assemblage with Pinot Noir from the Montage de Reims and the Marne Valley gives this lean, but impressively balanced Brut a full, round and well-structured taste; whereas the Chardonnay lends silkiness, finesse and a chalky freshness with lovely lemon and grapefruit flavors in the serious, but stimulatingly refreshing and grippy finish. Exclusively based on Grand and Premier Crus, this Fleur de Champagne is a highly recommended soprano aperitif that can easily match lighter, vegetable-based dishes, as well as fish, seafood and white meat. (My sample was from Lot L4183CG31 and according to Duval-Leroy was disgorged in July 2014.)