Thiénot : Brut

Toast and pencil shavings introduce this crisp, precise Champagne. Apple, honey and mineral flavors have an underlying bread dough element, with fine length. Drink now through 2014.

An attractive Champagne, with its creamy character brought out by a light dosage. The wine has balancing green apple acidity. It's light in the mouth, with a final taut texture.

Large welcoming bubbles; the nose sings coconut and ripe semi-tropical fruit, the palate is more finely etched.

Plenty of bright, ripe-fruit aromas here – rich peaches, pears and grilled almonds. The palate has a very composed feel and a deeper, savory attitude with light honey and grilled nuts. A lot of character for the first cuvée. 2013 base with 45 per cent reserve wine. Drink now.

(made from 45% chardonnay, 35% pinot noir and 20% pinot meunier; L1U3YA23A): Pale yellow. Lemon curd, quince, white flowers, honey and vanilla on the fragrant nose. Taut, refreshingly bitter citrus pith and toasty lees flavors give way to richer melon and peach with air, with honeysuckle and ginger notes adding complexity. A pungent, waxy note carries through the smoky expansive finish.

Medium straw yellow, golden reflections, fine, lively mousse. Delicate hints of cookie, yellow tropical fruit, nuances of peach, some honey blossom, hints of meadow herbs in the background. Juicy, elegant, white fruit nuances, lively structure, apple fruit on the finish, delicate sweetness in the aftertaste, very drinkable, fruity style.

The NV Thienot Champagne Brut tastes like a baby Krug with its rich, nutty, powerful style. Ample apple and citrus fruits as well as a touch of minerality develop with time in the glass, and it’s medium to full-bodied, has a awesome texture, and a great finish. This cuvée is 45% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir, and the balance Pinot Meunier, mostly from Grand Cru sites, and it was brought up all in stainless steel. The dosage is 9 grams per liter.