Tasting Notes
There are 12 vintages is this refined Champagne. That's the same number as Krug, which it resembles for its high percentage of old reserve wines, being at least 70% of the blend, and for being aged in wood. It opens up with time in the glass and becomes more expressive and the flavours go to another level, and it reveals even more how special it really is. The beautiful Grand Cru Chardonnay component gives this magnificent Champagne its structure, elegance and longevity and the Pinot Noir some satisfying deep berry fruit and the Pinot Meunier some pretty, lifted fruit aromas.
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Collard-Picard is one of the most exciting houses in Champagne today, who is definitely at the forefront of quality. Both Olivier and Caroline are from eminent Champagne families, and Olivier's grandfather Rene was a pioneer of organic farming in the region. They are what's known as an independent grower, based 15km west of Epernay. They have brilliant grand cru and 1er sites in Mesnil, where they grow Chardonnay and farm organically. It's also home to a couple of Champagne's most famous cuvees like Krug Le Mesnil and Salon Mesnil. In the Marne they have a site regarded as one of the best for Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir. Collard-Picard age this Champagne in wood, which is very unusual, and harks back to the more traditional way of making great Champagne in the past. They opt not to do malolactic fermentation on any of the wines to preserve their character, all yeasts are indigenous too.