Oliver Belins precise range of Champagnes from the Marne have arrived.
Olivier Belin, winemaker by profession, passionately cultivates 17 plots across 8ha of his estate with his team. Thanks to the hoeing and the maintenance of a natural plant cover, it produces sustainable viticulture throughout the year. He cherishes his old vines which perfectly express the temperament and minerality of his champagnes. Olivier is particularly fond of meunier, a typical and capricious grape variety from the Marne Valley which enriches his vintages. Viticulture is carefully managed respecting each type of soil – clay, limestone tuff, sands, silts. This diversity brings all the complexity to each Belin cuvée. The vinification takes place in small thermo-regulated stainless steel vats and barrels. Olivier produces 6 unique cuvées. Back and front labels are full of detail, with the QR code revealing astonishing details about the cuvees, including the names of the vineyard parcels, steep-ness of the slopes and vineyard trellising.
Champagne O.Belin Bel Instant Extra Brut
Blend 80% 2021, 20% 2020, 100% meunier ftom 4 parcels, dosage 4gm/l, no malolactic fermentation in small tanks.This cuvee represents the very essence of Champagne Belin, the typicality of the terroir, its philosophy, its sense of family and sharing. Satiny appearance, light straw yellow color with honey yellow reflections, fine bubbles and fine bead.
Aromas of candied peach, date, bitter orange, acacia honey, honeysuckle, butter, roasted pineapple. The clay minerality gives fullness, chewiness, and texture. Here the dosage adds an integrated freshness that prolongs the sensation of indulgence and pleasure. The saline finish is enhanced by candied fruit accents.
Champagne O.Belin Bleu Chic
Blend 70% chardonnay, 30% meunier, dosage 6gm. 70% 2021, 30% 2020. Dosage 6gm. Mineral, spicy, fruity, with a sophisticated oenology, the BLEU CHIC cuvée, Olivier Belin’s first creation, plays with the meunier to magnify the chardonnay. Light straw yellow color with pale yellow gold reflections, fine bubbles and persistant collar of bubbles. Aromas of fresh bread, apple, crushed pear, apricot, peach, quince, star anise, candied lemon, yellow grapefruit zest. Here the play on words ‘bleu’ refers to the color of a ripe meunier bunch of grapes, tempered by the ‘chic’ of added chardonnay. A perfectly blended champagne showing the vivacity and citrus of the chardonnay with the red fruits of meunier in the background.
Champagne O.Belin Rose des Fables
60% meunier, 40% chardonnay, 80% 2019, 20% 2018, dosage 7gm, red wine is from hand selected old vines meunier. A textural rose, with the meunier rouge adding a crunchy fruit element. Aromas of strawberry, cherry, raspberry, blueberry and blood orange. Beautifully crisp finish with persistent length. Lovely texture and vivacity. Pink champagne of this quality is impossible to find at reasonable prices. Limited stocks so only available in 6 pack initially.
Champagne O.Belin Clair Obscur Blanc de Noir Extra Brut
50% meunier, 50% pinot noir, 80% 2018, 20% 2017, 50% oak, dosage 4gm. The strong character of Blanc de Noir is carefully revealed with the typicty of the Marne Valley. Low yields with vinification of 50% of the wine in oak barrels enhances the complexity of these generous grape varieties. The aromas are reminiscent of the crunch of fresh grapes and the chewiness of the skin of black grape varieties. Aromas reveal marzipan, honey, pepper, apricot, licorice, honeysuckle, frangipani almond, sweet spices, milk caramel, buttercup, candied pineapple, mirabelle plum, cumin, vanilla note. The palate reveals a supple and fresh attack with a creamy and melted effervescence. The clay-limestone minerality gives roundness and salinity, with the subtle oak integration adding sherbet citrus overtones. Limited stocks so only available in the 6 pack initially.
