Champagne Extra Brut 'Quinte-Essence' Franck Pascal 2013

The Extra Brut "Quinte-Essence" from the Franck Pascal winery is an intense and complex Champagne produced in Basilieux-sous-Chatillon, in the Marne district of France. This label is obtained from a blend of grapes where Pinot Meunier, predominantly present, joins Chardonnay, thus balancing the rich acid-fruity notes of the former and giving a pleasant roundness to the sip. The vines, which have an average age of over 40 years, are cultivated using the traditional method on gentle hills with excellent sun exposure, situated at various altitudes on soils characterized by limestone and gypsum subsoils. The winery is a small family-run biodynamic operation since 2004, now managed by Franck Pascal alongside his wife Isabelle and several collaborators, in a working environment that aims for cordiality among employees and closeness to consumers.

of their perfect ripeness. The bunches, brought to the winery, are pressed directly and then undergo alcoholic fermentation in stainless steel containers for a few weeks. The base wine thus obtained is added with liquor de tirage for the sparkling process and subsequent refermentation in the bottle of the wine on its own yeasts for at least 45 months. Then, disgorgement is carried out and the liquor d'expedition is added to reach the desired dosage level, as per the extra-brut category, after which the wine remains to mature in the bottle for an additional 12 months before being ready for sale.

The Extra Brut Champagne "Quinte-Essence" presents itself with a beautiful bright golden yellow color and a fine, persistent perlage. On the nose, intense and fragrant aromas of ripe yellow fruit and dried fruit appear, including peach and walnut, floral notes of yellow flowers, slightly spicy hints, then shifting to mineral and brioche bread nuances. On the palate, it is complex, broad, full, and generous, characterized by a pleasant freshness and