Do you know the Leclerc Briant estate?

Today, I'm taking you to the heart of a new estate: Leclerc Briant, which will answer all your questions about this domain.

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If we go back to the beginning, it was founded in 1872 by Lucien Leclerc. In 1955, the estate was transferred to its current premises on Chemin de la Chaude Ruelle. During this same period, under the guidance of Bertrand Leclerc, great-grandson of the founder, and his wife Jacqueline Briant, the estate became a trading agency and was named Leclerc Briant. In 1980, Pascal Leclerc continued to build on the work of his parents. In 2012, the estate was bought by Mark Nunnely and Denise Dupré, a move that saved the company from oblivion. The couple are passionate about French art, and so fell under the spell of this non-conformist house. They teamed up with Fréderic Zeimett, a native of Champagne, to do everything in their power to continue expressing the style of this internationally acclaimed champagne.

 

La Maison Leclerc Briant :

Located in the heart of Epernay, it backs onto a tiny parcel of Chardonnay called "La Croisette", planted by the Leclerc Briant family in 1960. This garden is the source of one of the estate's finest parcel selections. The wine-making and ageing cellars are architecturally well-designed, with an almost monastic atmosphere. The building is brimming with good vibes and containers of all shapes, materials and virtues, which come together in a kind of harmony. The entire production relies on the low cellars, which are 35 meters deep, providing the ideal conditions for continuous ageing of the cuvées, whose names are spread out over the years.

 

When nature invites itself into production:

This estate is one of the pioneers of biodynamic viticulture in Champagne. In the late 50s, Bertrand Leclerc was the first to instill the spirit of organic farming on the estate. Later, his son Pascal, in the fifth generation, undertook the first certifications. The estate is sensitive to respect for nature and the terroir, so the vines are certified organic and biodynamic, as are the cuvées, which are Vegan-labeled. Today, 14 hectares of vines are located in Grand Cru (Mailly, Le Mesnil) and Premier Cru (Hautvillers, Cumières, Bisseuil, Trépail, Rilly la Montagne, Villers-Allerand). The domaine adds diversification and complexity by sourcing grapes from a handful of certified organic growers who are loyal friends and passionate about the spirit of the house. Hervé Jestin, a biodynamic specialist, has been with the company for several years now. Thanks to his many years of experience, he is able to accompany people in their relationship with vineyards and wine, and also to understand nature. From pressing to disgorging, the house applies a gentle, natural and caring approach to winemaking. Respecting each wine and expressing it in its truest personality helps to match the dynamics of each vintage. The wines are aged 9 times and disgorged after a long period of ageing. Whatever the dosage, they express themselves unvarnished, helping consumers to welcome wine in a different way.

Presentation of Maison Leclerc Briant wines:

Before presenting the cuvées, let's talk briefly about the wines in general. This range of cuvées is divided into three parts: the "classic" wines, which combine and express their personality without any constraints; the "parcel selections", which reveal the quintessence of their terroir and year of origin; and finally, the "specialties", which are closer to an original universe, full of emotion.

 

• Réserve Brut - Champagne Leclerc Briant :

 

This cuvée combines gourmandise, freshness and a blending energy thanks to its remarkable aromatic and tactile nuances. It's a blend of 40 % Pinot Noir, 40 % Pinot Meunier and 20 % Chardonnay. The dosage is 4g/litre. Recommended drinking temperature: 10-12°C. Satin-smooth, flowing, topaz yellow with green tints. The nose is fruity, with notes of quince, apple and pear. Aeration reveals more pastry-like notes of butter, cinnamon and mocha. On the palate, lemony acidity and minerality add to the fruity volume, leading to a slender finish that is both iodized and earthy. When tasted, it will enhance pork dishes such as Reims ham or ribs. A perfect match for poularde with chanterelle mushrooms.

 

 

• Rosé Extra-Brut - Champagne Leclerc Briant :

This cuvée combines delicacy and lightness, giving both vinosity and aromatic nuance, ideal for summer aperitifs. The blend consists of 95 % Chardonnay and 5 % Pinot Noir. The dosage is 4.5g/liter. Recommended drinking temperature: 10-12°C. The color is a bright orange-pink with deep salmon-pink highlights. The nose is fresh and seductive, with notes of apricot, orange and kumquat, evolving towards wild strawberry and blackcurrant. On the palate, it has a rich, concentrated flavor: a luscious body underlined by lemony acidity. A perfect accompaniment to fish dishes such as tuna tataki, as well as red fruit desserts.

 

 

• Premier Cru Extra-Brut - Champagne Leclerc Briant :

It's a cuvée of precision and conviviality, with a mellow, savory finish that's perfect as an aperitif or with gourmet dishes. The blend is composed of 70 % Pinot Noir , 15 % Pinot Meunier , 15 % Chardonnay. The dosage is a very light 2 g/ liters. Pale yellow-gold in color, with straw-yellow highlights and a silvery tinge. The nose expresses pastry notes reminiscent of brioche and toasted hazelnut. Aeration reveals iodized, fruity notes of greengage and warm apple. A perfect accompaniment to raw or cooked seafood dishes such as oysters, smoked salmon, prawns or scallops. It also goes well with creamy cheeses.

 

This cuvée combines character and balance in its expression of gourmandise. The blend is made up of 60 % Pinot Noir, 20 % Pinot Meunier and 20 % Chardonnay. The dosage is 3g/litre. To the eye, the champagne is satiny, luminous and dense, pale yellow-gold in color with deep yellow-green highlights. On the nose, it is iodized and pastry-like, evoking notes of preserved lemon, Kirsch cherry custard and cookie. Aeration reveals more substance through jasmine and sweet spices. On the palate, it develops a fruity texture revealing a sensation of gourmandise and fullness, carried by a fresh vibrancy typical of the vintage. A perfect match for seafood dishes such as salmon gravelax with yuzu purée, or fillet of sea bream with lemongrass cream and vegetable spaghetti.

 

• La Croisette 2015 Brut Zéro - Champagne Leclerc Brian :

This champagne combines lovely fruit notes with a fine vinosity. It is made exclusively from chardonnay. It is unfined, vinified and aged in oak barrels. The color is brilliant and dense, with greenish-yellow reflections tending towards silvery yellow. The bubbles are fine and lively, forming a persistent collar. Fresh and clean on the palate, developing fruity, coated flavors underlined by fine tension. The finish expresses white fruit and infusion aromas. Enjoy as an aperitif, or even better with gourmet dishes such as salmon rillettes with lemon caviar, poached cod or asparagus.

Now you have all the information you need to choose the cuvée that's right for you, and we hope you've enjoyed this article and found the answers to your questions about this estate.

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