Edouard Brun is a small, family-owned Champagne House in the revered Grand Cru village of Aÿ. Founded in 1898, the House has stepped out of the shadow of history in recent years, evolving from a very traditional approach to a modern and fruit-driven style. The wines are all the better for it.
This 1er Cru Reserve is a blend of 25% Chardonnay with 75% Pinot Noir, which grows especially well in Aÿ. The two varieties are vinified separately - the Chardonnay in stainless steel, the Pinot in old oak - before being blended with reserve wines, bottled for the second fermentation and then aged for 30 months on their lees. This creates a rich, powerful style that, for us, outperforms a lot of famous vintage Champagnes. In this celebratory magnum, the balance of fruitiness, structure and soft mouthfeel is worth the entry fee alone.