Vallée – Aÿ Grand Cru — 2013
-
Introduction
-
THE WINERY: Born in Champagne in a grower’s family, Juliette Alips rapidly found her passion. With the mentorship of her close cousins, Raphaël and Vincent Bérêche, she discovered and learned all the ins and outs of producing champagne, from farming, to vinification, tasting and blending. Now, with the help of her two cousins, she is starting this new adventure with Domaine Les Monts Fournois. Located in the north part of the Montagne de Reims, in the sub-area called La Grande Montagne, the Premier Cru Les Monts Fournois will be the focus of the domaine.
THE WINE: Le Domaine les Monts Fournois is presenting here this cuvée after a rigorous and precise search for the best terroirs of Premier and Grand Crus in Champagne. With these wines we would like to highlight the real expression of a terroir, a varietal and a vintage. These Crus have been sélectionnés by Juliette Alips and her cousins Raphaël & Vincent Bérêche.
-
-
Vineyard Profile
- Vineyards: AŸ is the most historically esteemed Champagne village, for the exceptional quality of its wine. Sunny and chalky, AŸ reflects the junction of different soils, chalky and rocky, generally south facing. AŸ is a unique appellation with various folds, exposition and elevations in its landscape as well as its proximity to the Marne River.
- Appellation: Champagne; Sub-region: Vallée de la Marne; Village: Aÿ Grand Cru
- Cultivation: Sustainable
- Soil: Chalk, with rocks
- Exposure: South-facing
-
Vintage Report
-
Rather late harvest, but good quality. The grapes were picked in October. 2013 confirms the idea that great vintages are born in October.
-
-
Vinification
-
After Juliette and her cousins select the cuvée by blind tasting with a broker, the family will purchase the entire lot of Champagne from the producer. Juliette will then proceed with a series of disgorgement and liqueur de tirage trials in the cellar using Rectified Concentrated Must (RCM) for its homogenous and neutral flavors, in order to highlight the terroir. Once the dosage has been made, the samples will return to the cellar for 6 months before being released to the market.
- Malolactic: 100%
- Aging: 9 years on the lees
- Bottled: April 18, 2014
- Disgorged: October 2023 - “Fruit day”
-
-
Technical Information
- Varietal Composition: 85% Pinot Noir, 15% Chardonnay
- Alcohol: 12.5%
- TA: 4.5 g/L
- RS: 2.3 g/L
-
Tasting Notes
-
This 2013 bears elegant witness to a great Pinot Noir terroir; AY. The first nose is fine and delicate, then reveals the power of the terroir. AY is high, AY is great. The delicacy of fresh flowers mingles with fine notes of gunflint, revealing the rock, then the power of the soil. Aromas of smoky chalk emerge, the complexity is great due to the full maturity of the 2013 vintage.
-
Images
Reviews
-
Vallée – Aÿ Grand Cru — 2013 – Jeb Dunnuck – 96 Points
"Composed of 85% Pinot Noir and the rest Chardonnay aged nine years on the lees, the NV Champagne Vallée Aÿ Grand Cru boasts a deeper straw hue and is attractive and floral on the nose, filling the glass with notes of brioche, fresh flowers, attractive red berries, and peach. Medium-bodied, with a fluffy mousse, it’s rounded and well-detailed but also has a discreetly powerful feel, with good richness and no harsh edges. I’m impressed. Drink this over the next 15 or more years. December 2023 disgorgement."
-
Vallée – Aÿ Grand Cru — 2013 – Wine Spectator – 92 Points
“There's a subtle, honeyed edge to the flavors of black cherry and black raspberry fruit, whole-grain toast, chamomile and fleur de sel as they ride the creamy mousse of this chalky Champagne.”
-
Vallee Grand Cru Ay — 2013 – Vinous – 91 Points
"The 2013 Vallee Grand Cru, 100% Pinot Noir from Ay, is laced with chalk, red-toned fruit, white pepper and mint. Its power and overall persistence are classic Ay. There is a bit of rusticity in the flavor profile and textural feel, yet the 2013 has plenty to offer. Its slightly edgy personality will be less of an issue at the dinner table, which is where Champagnes like this shine."