Bereche et Fils Vallee de la Marne Rive Gauche Extra Brut Champagne 2022

Rive Gauche is pure Meunier from the left bank of the Marne at Mareuil-le-Port, a Bérêche family holding since 1980. It comes from Maisoncelle, a north-facing mid-slope planted in 1969, and a steep parcel on the Côte aux Châtaigniers, both on cold clay and marl studded with fossilized shells. The wine is fermented and aged in barrel, does not go through malolactic fermentation, and spends three years in bottle under natural cork before it is disgorged and finished Extra Brut. Production in 2022 was 4,200 bottles. Ripe pear and peach meet dried flowers, ginger, and a bready note; open and full in the mouth, it has lively bubbles, a plump texture, and a saline, thirst-quenching finish. Few Champagnes make a stronger case for Meunier on its own.