Description
Since 1859, the Duval-Leroy family has been cultivating exceptional vineyards in Vertus, on the edge of the Cotes des Blancs where the finest Chardonnay are grown.
Family run, it is the only Major House run by a Female CEO and winemaker team. Under their leadership, it has pursued quality and innovation being the first house to sustainably certified, to release an Organically certified cuvee and pursue Vegan compliance in 2015.
A ‘Delicious Difference‘ thanks to their focus on Chardonnay, generous craft with reserve wines and only exceptional vintages to be released, as well as a sustainable and pioneering vision. The House was ranked #20 most admired brand by Drinks Business Magazine in 2019.
The elegance of the Grands Crus Champagnes
With a delicate and fine structure, the cuvée Femme de Champagne Brut Grand Cru is a wine with great finesse and exceptional aromatic complexity Femme de Champagne Brut Grand Cru reflects the elegance and refinements of the best crus, sought out by Maison Duval Leroy for an unforgettable tasting experience
Blend – of 80% Chardonnay and 20% Pinot Noir, Femme de Champagne Brut Grand Cru is the result of a delicate marriage of the best vineyards in the Champagne terroir Avize Chouilly Le Mesnil sur Oger Ambonnay.
Femme de Champagne Brut Grand Cru will have spent a minimum of 8 years maturing in our cellars.
The colour of Femme de Champagne is bright yellow At first the nose revels notes of citrus and fresh bread, this biscuit character then gives way to aromas of flowers and yellow fruits (hints of apricot, peach and quince)
On the palate a bewitching flavour of ripe hazelnuts envelopes honeysuckle, this is quickly followed by the delicate notes of crystallized mandarin and orange peel
Food pairing – Gastronomy wine, to be served with Homard Prince Vladimir or Pata Negra ham
James Suckling – 95 points
13 Jul, 2019 – A powerful prestige cuvée with a dense palate, formed by fine bubbles. It’s very dry and phenolic with some tannin that makes it crunchy and intense. Dried apple, peach and pear. Needs a few years to soften but already delicious.
Robert Parker Wine Advocate – 93 points
The NV Brut Grand Cru Femme de Champagne (L6305NM, disgorged in October 2016, tasted in November 2017) is a blend of four grand cru villages: Avize, Chouilly, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger (Chardonnay: 80%) and Ambonnay (Pinot Noir: 20%). Fermented at 14% in oak, the wine opens with a clear, fresh and subtle bouquet of white fruits with citrus flavors that indicate the freshness and finesse of Chardonnay. It is a lean and very elegant, juicy but also creamy and well-structured blend with a long and aromatic finish that reveals the junior Pinot Noir part. There is nice salinity and green tea flavors (mint) in the aftertaste. This is still a very fresh and youthful example. Dosage: five grams per liter.
The newest disgorgements from Duval-Leroy include several truly wonderful Champagnes. The non-vintaged Femme de Champagne, for example, is only topped by the 2006 Millésime Prestige, an extraordinary Vintage Champagne that was disgorged after 9.5 years in the bottle. Tasted for the first time: the remarkable and concentrated Extra-Brut Prestige. This 150+-year-old, still family-owned house in Vertus is becoming a dramatically good producer with highly delicate and finessed cuvées in a lovely stimulatingly dry and perfectly round style. The prices are still moderate, so there is no reason not to check out the new Duval-Leroy.