Bérêche Brut Réserve | NV

Raphaël and Vincent Bérêche makes some of Champagne’s most exquisite wines. At a tasting a few years ago with other elite grower producers like Savart, Egly-Ouriet, and Vouette et Sorbée, Bérêche stood out as the prettiest. The Brut Réserve—an almost equal blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier from the Montagne de Reims and Vallée de la Marne—plays the middle to perfection, between austerity and opulence. Extended lees aging and moderate dosage give it a timeless character, emphasizing purity and brightness over oxidation. A wine of supreme elegance, this surprisingly remains one of Champagne's greatest values. I wish we could get more. ~Allegra Angelo