2013 Marie Courtin Efflorescence Extra Brut

A complete and wonderfully nuanced wine, the 2013 Extra Brut Efflorescence is fabulous. Bright and sculpted to the core, the 2013 exudes energy. Chalk, mint, jasmine and orchard fruit add complexity, but it is the wine's overall balance that is most impressive. The Efflorescence offers striking translucence and energy from start to finish. The non-dosé style is especially successful here. Disgorged in April 2017 with no dosage.

The 2013 Extra Brut Efflorescence is from an east-facing vineyard with 40-year-old vines (selection massale) on Kimmeridgian soils. Fermented and aged for one year in pieces and 36 months on the second lees before the disgorgement in October 2017, this golden-yellow cuvee opens with a very delicate, almost floral bouquet of great elegance. Round, intense and full on the palate, this is an extraordinarily fine, elegant, highly finessed and perfectly balanced Pinot Noir with beautiful cherry fruit on the fresh finish. This is a great wine, and just 9,000 bottles were produced. Tasted April 2018. Aug 2018, www.robertparker.com