Herbert & Co.: 1000% Pinot Noir

Herbert & Co.: 1000% Pinot Noir

The Cuvée

Herbert & Co. is a small, fine winery from Rilly-la-Montagne, one of the more exciting discoveries among the grower champagnes of Montagne de Reims. Thomas works with an emphatically artisanal approach here, and the name of this cuvée says it all: 1000% Pinot Noir brings the pure, unadulterated DNA of the grape variety into the glass.

The grapes come from top-quality Premier and Grand Cru sites in Montagne de Reims, including Rilly-la-Montagne, Verzenay and Mailly. The base wines age for nine months in small Burgundian oak barrels of 228 liters, before the wine goes into bottle for around three years.

The result is an enormously vinous, powerful Blanc de Noirs: dark berries, some cassis, earthy notes and a warmly integrated oak expression. On the palate it's powerful, creamy and structured, but through the Extra Brut dosage it maintains an almost purist freshness and plenty of grip. A champagne with stature that can easily carry an entire meal.

My Tastings

The 1000% Pinot Noir from Herbert & Co. is a champagne I was particularly looking forward to. This small, fine house is run in Rilly-la-Montagne and belongs to the most exciting discoveries among the grower champagnes.

The name here is absolutely spot on. "1000% Pinot Noir" is definitely the most accurate description for this Blanc de Noirs, because it brings the pure, unadulterated DNA of this grape variety into the glass. The grapes come from top-quality Premier and Grand Cru sites in Montagne de Reims (including Rilly-la-Montagne, Verzenay and Mailly).

Thomas makes this wine extremely artisanally: The base wines spend 9 months in small Burgundian oak barrels (228L), before going into bottle for around 3 years.

The result? An enormously vinous, powerful champagne! On the nose you immediately get dark berries (blackberry, some cassis), earthy notes and a wonderfully integrated, warm oak expression. On the palate it's powerful, creamy and structured, but maintains fantastic, almost purist freshness and tension through the Extra Brut dosage. A wine with real "grip" that can easily accompany an entire meal.

Definitely not my last bottle from Herbert & Co.!

Details

Producer Herbert & Co.
Cuvée 1000% Pinot Noir
Category Blanc de Noirs
Grape Varieties Pinot Noir (100%)
Terroir Premier & Grand Cru, Montagne de Reims (Rilly-la-Montagne, Verzenay, Mailly)
Winemaking 9 months oak barrel (228 L), approx. 3 years sur lattes
Style Extra Brut, grower champagne
Highlights vinous, dark berries, warm oak, lots of grip

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