Champagne Leclerc Briant - Réserve Extra Brut

This Epernay-based brand, a pioneer of organic viticulture in Champagne and founded by the Leclerc family in 1872, experienced a renaissance under the leadership of Pascal Leclerc Briant in the 1990s and 2000s. The wine merchant was acquired in 2012 by an American couple, Mark Nunnelly and Denise Dupré, who are passionate about champagne and the French art of living. The house has now reached a brilliant maturity, complemented by the spectacular revival of the Hôtel Royal Champagne. All the champagnes, produced using biodynamic viticulture, possess great character and an intense, profound expression. Hervé Jestin, the cellar master, crafts wines that inspire our admiration.

What a wine from another world—fruit and light, flowers and mouthfeel, earth and sky. The mouthfeel is rich, concentrated, full-bodied, and indulgent. On the nose, notes of resin, dried apricot, dates, and toasted sesame. The “entry-level” wines are the most difficult to produce here, yet we already have a truly great wine with character and perfect balance. Perfect as an aperitif, of course, or paired with Asian-inspired cuisine such as sautéed shrimp with pineapple.

Acquired in 2012 by a passionate American couple, this small estate has risen from the ashes thanks to wines with remarkable character. The vineyards are cultivated using biodynamic methods, and grapes are sourced from organic or biodynamic winemakers. The majority of the grapes come from exceptional terroirs (Mailly, Le Mesnil, Cumières...). Hervé Jestin has been working with the house for several years, bringing his well-known talent to the project. The “Abyss” cuvées—champagnes submerged at the bottom of the sea for 12 months off the coast of Ouessant Island—possess a distinct identity, as do the single-vineyard champagnes Château d’Avize and Les Mont Ferrés. Partial aging in oak, low dosage, and a balance of tension and vinosity are the hallmarks of this fine house.

40% Chardonnay, 20% Pinot Noir, 20% Meunier. All sourced from vineyards classified as “Premier Cru” and “Grand Cru.” Organic and biodynamic cultivation. Classic characteristics of Champagne. It features lovely acidity, yet also offers great depth and complexity on the palate. Notes of hazelnut, yeast, and tangy citrus. A very rich and thoroughly enjoyable wine.

A pleasantly toasty and creamy nose, revealing aromas of white peach jam and pear tart, with lovely depth. The lively and precise palate reveals a complexity that unfolds layer by layer, while maintaining freshness and vibrancy all the way through the long finish. Made from organically grown grapes. Disgorged in February 2026. Enjoy now or cell it.

The NV Champagne Reserve Extra Brut is made exclusively from the 2021 vintage and has a color ranging from medium yellow to light gold. The blend consists of equal parts Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Meunier, with a dosage of 4.5 grams per liter; it was disgorged in March 2025. It is ripe and toasty, with notes of salty pineapple, toast, lemon, and fresh almonds. Medium- to full-bodied, it displays lovely intensity on the palate, with richness and a slight phenolic bitterness, while the oak comes through more prominently here. Best enjoyed between 2025 and 2035.