95pts - The 2015 Blanc de Noirs Presle emerges from a tiny parcel planted with ten different Burgundy clones of Pinot Noir. Brisk, nuanced and finely sculpted to the core, the Presle is pure class. Orchard fruit, red plum, mint and wild flowers are all beautifully sketched. The breadth of Pinot comes through in the wine’s textural resonance and overall feel. Tropical overtones add an exotic flair to this wonderfully distinctive and inviting Champagne from Cédric Bouchard. I especially admire the wine’s brisk, energetic feel and super-precise expression of Pinot. No dosage. Disgorged: April, 2019.
Cèdric Bouchard has been making Champagne under his own label since 2000, when he acquired the Les Ursule vineyard from his father. He named his Côtes des Bar domaine Roses de Jeanne in honor of his Polish grandmother. He focuses on producing single vineyard Champagnes with low carbonation levels and low or no dosage. With barely 4.5 acres of vineyards, he produces only about 15,000 bottles annually. He is considered a rising star of Champagne. In addition to making wines under his own Roses de Jeanne label, Bouchard makes Champagne for his father’s Inflorescence label.
Wine Advocate wrote: “The explosive, kaleidoscopic Champagnes of Cedric Bouchard are some of the most compelling wines coming out of the region today. Quite simply, this set of new releases left me speechless and literally shaking my head in awe. Readers should do whatever they can to experience these magnificent wines.”