De Venoge Cordon Bleu Brut Non Vintage
Light straw colour. Tight, fine bubbles. Nose of white flowers, apple pastries, citrus, white peachy and slightly roasted nuts. Slightly chalky on the palate with fresh, creamy and crispy, round-off acidities, lightish elegance, offering a fruity, non-aggressive and delicate notes of mushrooms, forest floor in the medium finish. House specifications say the dosage is from 6 to 12 g/l. Aged in stainless steel vats; partial malolactic fermentation(oak cask and barrels). We think it will drink perfect from this year to 2019 and still okay for 2020. It is an alternative to some of the branded NVs with the more aggressive palates.
Situated in Epernay, Maison de Venoge was founded in 1837 by Henri-Marc de Venoge. The Cuvée Brut Cordon Bleu, a real symbol of the house, was born in the mid 19th century by his son, Joseph De Venoge.
Socres are consistently at the 91 to 92 level over time and comparable to Bollinger, Moet, Mumm, Perrier Jouet and others. Recent tasting by PArker et. al is:
91 Points, Wine Advocate "The NV Cordon Bleu Brut is a classic De Venoge assemblage of 50% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay and 25% Pinot Meunier from roughly 20 different villages. This sample is based on the 2013 vintage (75%) and includes 15% of 2012 and 10% of 2011 (disgorged in January 2017; dosage of 7.8 grams per liter). Intense brioche and delicate chalky aromas flavor the fine and elegant bouquet. On the palate, this is a round, fresh and well-balanced Champagne with a tight structure and and impressive length. There is even a certain salinity that makes this Brut a first class aperitif and at a very good price point. Tasted November 2017."
