2012 Millésime

100% from the Grand Cru village of Bouzy with 70 % Pinot Noir from the lieu-dit of Monts de Tauxières, planted in 1966 on brown limestone clay soil, and 30 % Chardonnay from ‘Haut des Argentières’, planted in 1960.

Other vintages available: 2010, 2007

NV Violaine

Sourced from two of Benoit’s lowest yielding parcels ‘Les Argentières’ (Tauxières) and ‘Les Monts des Tours’ (Bouzy), both situated on shallow 40cm deep soil of dry well-drained chalk. The parcels are exposed to the wind and generally require very little treatment to protect against disease. An equal blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, no dosage. This is Benoit’s ‘officially declared’ no sulphur cuvée.  Strong chalk aromas to open with a little chocolate, grilled nuts, cinnamon and dried yellow flowers. Sweet baked apple/toffee apple fruits also sing through with a touch of sois bois earthy complexity and minerality. The palate is rich, mouth-filling and textural but also very mineral. Fruit richness combines with the mousse to great effect, such is the concentration and intensity. No one flavour jumps out here, other than nougat perhaps. It's more about consuming something unique and alive, and there is certainly no ill effect from the absence of added sulphur. You can feel the presence and vitality of the wine long after it has gone, not just taste the flavours, such is the impression.

NV La Jardin de la Grosse Pierre

From a single plot of 0.25 hectares of brown limestone clay soil in Bouzy. Released by Benoit as a ‘heritage’ cuvée with the plot first planted by Benoit’s great grandfather in 1923, with some vines replaced in 1952. A mixed planting of Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Chardonnay and many more, some of the vine names have been lost to history and are probably unidentifiable. The vineyard is picked and pressed together as a true field blend. It is bottled with zero dosage and total sulphur of 20mg. Bright copper yellow in colour with rich chalky, stony notes with a whiff of old oak and some oxidative complexity. Darker spices, almond meal, baked golden delicious apple, spiced wild honey, exotic yellow and orange fruits together with delicate red fruit notes, wild herbs and some white floral tones. The intensely rich palate is all well balanced with fruit tones adding vital complexity. Savoury green almond, nougat and salty mineral notes to finish.

Also available: 2010 Magnums

NV Rosé de Macération

100% Biodynamic Pinot Noir from nearly 50-year-old vines in the ‘Les Juliennes’ vineyard, on the terres blanches in Bouzy. Whole cluster maceration for 2-3 days, grapes are pressed and the wine is racked with no filtering before its secondary fermentation. Mineral, tart red fruit, herbal lift, Pinosity in the mid-palate and gorgeous rhubarb notes with a balancing fresh acidity to bring it home. Outstanding Rosé Champagne.

2014 Bouzy Rouge

Still red wines are not what people think about when they think of ‘Champagne’; the limited quantities of 100% Pinot Noir from Côteaux Champenois remain a well-kept secret. Made biodynamically from certified fruit, as per Benoit’s standard philosophy. The resulting wines are ethereal in lightness and fragrance. The flavours strike the perfect balance, walking the tightrope between structure and minerality, and fruit and freshness. For Pinot lovers looking for something different, this is an absolute must try.