Alfred Gratien : Cuvée 595 Brut

Comprising 5 vintages, a smooth and refined Brut champagne by Alfred Gratien

The estate

Alfred Gratien founded the eponymous house in 1864. Located in Épernay, in the heart of the Champagne region, the Alfred Gratien House has always advocated the meticulous selection of the grapes, vinification in barrels and limited volumes in order to preserve the original character of the terroir and to bring out all the freshness of its wines.

The know-how of the Alfred Gratien Champagne House has been passed down from father to son for several generations and contributes to the unique style of each champagne.

The vineyard

The Alfred Gratien House looks after a vineyard of 1.56 hectares situated on two exceptional Premiers and Grands Cru terroirs in the Champagne region: the Côte des Blancs and the Montagne de Reims. The house completes its supplies by acquiring grapes from over sixty long-standing and loyal winegrowers who have worked with the house for generations.

The wine

Alfred Gratien's Cuvée 595 Brut champagne comprises five vintages, from 2007 to 2011.

Vinification and ageing

The harvested grapes undergo a rigorous selection process before being vinified and then aged in 228-litre oak barrels. Malolactic fermentation is not carried out in order to preserve the integrity of the fruit. Following its bottling in 2012, Cuvée 595 has been aged on laths for 9 years.

The blend

Chardonnay (65%)

Pinot Noir (35%).

Alfred Gratien’s Cuvée 595 Brut: Characteristics and tasting tips

The tasting

Colour

This champagne is a beautiful green-gold colour. The effervescence is fine and delicate.

Nose

Seductive and expressive, the nose opens with refreshing fragrances of grapefruit, vetiver and fern. When aerated, it reveals pastry notes (biscuit, cream, vanilla) which harmoniously blend with subtle nuances of hazelnut, grilled almond, white fruit (apple, pear) and iodine. This champagne reveals deeper notes that are reminiscent of stems.

Palate

The attack is caressing and creamy. Generous, the palate is seduced by this champagne’s density, its fine tannins, its iodine notes as well as its smooth texture reminiscent of umami. Particularly persistent, the finish reveals a delicious alliance between vivacity, salinity and bitterness, all of which guarantee a great ageing potential.

Service

For an optimal tasting experience, serve at 12°C in a fairly wide flute.

Food and wine pairing

The texture and richness of Alfred Gratien's Cuvée 595 Brut will complement dense and noble dishes such as lobster, abalone, John Dory, monkfish, veal or Bresse chicken.