Leclerc Briant : Cuvée Divine Extra Brut

Characteristics and Tasting Notes of Leclerc Briant Cuvée Divine Extra-Brut

Tasting

Appearance
The wine displays a pale gold hue with bright yellow highlights, revealing a luminous aspect and remarkable density.

Nose
The bouquet reveals a rich aromatic palette dominated by fleshy, juicy fruits such as lemon, candied grape, pear, and Granny Smith apple. These fruity notes are enhanced by smoky nuances reminiscent of clay and toast, accompanied by hints of blackberry, almond, linden, peony, honey, wild strawberry, peach, pepper, musk, and licorice.

Palate
On the palate, this champagne delights with its richness and directness, offering creamy effervescence and fruit that is both ripe and crisp. The lively acidity of lemon and grapefruit brings beautiful tension, while an umami flavor gives the wine a highly appetizing character, ideal for food pairings.

Food and Wine Pairings

This cuvée pairs perfectly with refined dishes, especially fish and cheeses. It beautifully accompanies roasted John Dory with stuffed potato and truffle cream, or a soft-cooked egg with watercress cream.

Serving and Cellaring

Cuvée Divine Extra-Brut is best enjoyed at a temperature between 10 and 12°C to fully reveal its complex aromas.

A seductive Extra-Brut champagne with liveliness and balance

The estate

Founded in 1872 in Cumières by Lucien Leclerc, the estate became the Champagne Leclerc Briant House in 1955 when Bertrand Leclerc and Jacqueline Briant settled in Épernay as négociants. A pioneer of biodynamics in Champagne since the 1980s, the House cultivates 14 hectares certified Demeter. Acquired in 2012 by Americans Mark Nunnelly and Denise Dupré, together with Frédéric Zeimett, it continues a viticulture free from chemical inputs. Its distinctive cuvées, such as Blanc de Meuniers Premier Cru, purely express Champagne terroirs thanks to methods that respect living organisms.

The vineyard

Following this acquisition, extensive vineyard restructuring was undertaken under the supervision of Frédéric Zeimett, a native of Champagne who trained at estates such as Chapoutier and Pommery. Today, Maison Leclerc Briant oversees a Champagne terroir of 14 hectares comprising Grands Crus (Mailly, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger) and Premiers Crus (Hautvillers, Cumières, Bisseuil, Trépail, Rilly la Montagne, Villers-Allerand). Six hectares are planted with pinot noir and pinot meunier, and eight hectares with chardonnay.

The blend

This Cuvée Divine Extra Brut is based on the 2013 vintage, enriched with 10% reserve wines from the lieu-dit Chèvres Pierreuses from 2010. Bottled in July 2014, it benefits from long aging on lees before disgorgement, which began in February 2022—a testament to the patience and expertise of the House. Its dosage is 2 g/L.

Blend

Chardonnay (50%) and pinot meunier (50%).