Benoit Lahaye Blanc de Noirs Extra Brut Champagne cuvée is made from 100% Pinot Noir from Bouzy (Les Vaux Betins and Les Hannepes specifically, both plots with deep soils), and Tauxières (a plot called Les Argentières with more chalk.) The vines were planted in 1960, 1980 and 1990. The grapes from each parcel are pressed separately and fermentation takes place in oak barrels. The grapes from each parcel are pressed separately. Bottling is without filtration and the dosage is 5 grams per litre, making it an extra brut. Bottled at 12%. (Bottle size 750ml)

Nose: A lively Champagne with rich aromas of buttered toast.

Palate: Typical Pinot Noir flavours of cherries, lemon zest and anise with cherries, cherries and more cherries.

Finish: This delicious bubbly has a slightly spicy character and a refined, flinty finish.

Benoit Lahaye is located in Bouzy, a grand cru village in the Montagne de Reims. His family has been making Champagne there since the 1930’s, and today he works in the winery with his wife Valérie and their 2 sons. The domaine, which covers a surface area of 4.8 hectares, is situated in the regions of Bouzy (3.2 hectares), Ambonnay (1 hectare) and Tauxières (0.6 hectare). Bouzy brings structure, power and fruit to the wines while Ambonnay brings acidity and roundness. The estate became organic-certified in 2003, and biodynamic-certified in 2010. (Certified organic vineyards account for only around 1% of the total land in the Champagne wine region.) The vines average 35 to 40 years old and total production is less than 40,000 bottles per year.

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