Vincent Bliard: Les Fondamentaux 2019

Vincent Bliard: Les Fondamentaux 2019

The Cuvée

Vincent Bliard is a grower house from Hautvillers, that village above the Marne that's considered the birthplace of Champagne. The family has been thinking organically since the 1960s, from grandparents Jean and Hélène to today's Florence and Antoine, with a clear focus on sustainability. Vinification and aging takes place in oak barrels, about one year in wood.

Les Fondamentaux is exactly the kind of Champagne you don't need to analyze while drinking it. With a light focus on Pinot Noir, the 2019 vintage feels balanced and harmonious: bright fruit of pear, yellow apple and mirabelle plum, fine lees notes, a touch of brioche and a nutty character. The texture is round and calm, the finish clean and carried by a fine salinity that almost automatically leads to the next sip.

My Tastings

The Vincent Bliard Les Fondamentaux is exactly the kind of Champagne you don't necessarily need to analyze while drinking it. It just flows along in a very positive way.

In the glass, everything seems very balanced. A light focus on Pinot Noir, without heaviness, but certainly with weight that maybe also gets additional heft from the 13% vol alcohol. The texture is round, calm, harmonious, nothing stands out, nothing is missing. Not boring, but simply right. Or was it just the moment?

Aromatically, Les Fondamentaux remains deliberately restrained. Bright fruit in the foreground, pear, yellow apple, some mirabelle plum, plus fine lees notes, a touch of brioche and a slightly nutty character. No dominant citrus, the fruity notes very subtle. With some air, light herbal hints and a gentle spice emerge, more dry than sweet. On the palate very balanced: round, calm, with creamy texture and a light weight from the Pinot Noir.

The finish remains clean and understated, carried by a fine salinity and just enough freshness that you automatically reach for the next sip.

Details

Producer Vincent Bliard
Cuvée Les Fondamentaux
Vintage 2019
Category Brut
Grape Varieties Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier
Terroir Hautvillers, Vallée de la Marne
Aging Oak barrel (Foudres), approx. 1 year wood
Style Brut, grower Champagne, organic
Highlights balanced, creamy texture, bright fruit, fine salinity

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