February 17, 2025
A prestigious single-vineyard plot surrounded by walls (although the walls may no longer be there), but where are they all. Pommery Apanage Blanc de Noirs NV
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Champagne Pommery's prestige cuvée was first produced in 1979. Named after her daughter and a tribute to Madame Pommery's personality and vision, Cuvée Louise is a champagne with a very low sugar content, reflecting the origins of Brut Nature 1874. Containing wine from three Grand Cru plots: Avize and Cramant for the Chardonnay and Aÿ for the Pinot Noir, Cuvée Louise is aged on the lees for a minimum of eight years. The aim is to strike the perfect balance between the vintage and Pommery's unique tyle.
The Apanage cuvées have been designed specifically for and dedicated to fine dining. In the middle Ages, an apanage was a grant (as of land or revenue) made by a sovereign to a member of the royal family. “Apanage” is evocative of exclusivity and distinction.
Weather: 2018 was a very unusual year in more ways than one. After an exceptionally rainy winter, spring was very mild. The warmth brought with it stormy and sometimes destructive weather as well as variable rainfall throughout the appellation. Summer was very warm, dry and sunny and surpassed even the record breaking temperatures of 2003. 2018 is therefore a new benchmark for the Champagne region in terms of the heat, drought and sunshine levels.
Technical Information:
Vineyards: 100% Grand Cru | Aÿ
Grape Varieties: 70% Pinot Noir & 30% Meunier
Base vintage: 2018
Disgorgement: Jan 2023
Lees Ageing: 4 years
Dosage: 9 g/l
Drink: Now to 2030
Tasting Note: The first nose reveals subtle and floating floral notes (acacia, peony) rapidly enveloped by sugary sensations of mirabelle, crushed strawberry and frangipani. The floral notes revealed on the nose are found back on the palate and result in flavours of acacia honey. The heart of the tasting is intense, ample and full-bodied. Nuances of pear, red fruits, and spices reminiscent of Timur berries are mixed. The perfect balance of the finish is underlined by a delicate note of blood orange.
The Apanage cuvées have been designed specifically for and dedicated to fine dining. In the middle Ages, an apanage was a grant (as of land or revenue) made by a sovereign to a member of the royal family. “Apanage” is evocative of exclusivity and distinction.
Weather: 2018 was a very unusual year in more ways than one. After an exceptionally rainy winter, spring was very mild. The warmth brought with it stormy and sometimes destructive weather as well as variable rainfall throughout the appellation. Summer was very warm, dry and sunny and surpassed even the record breaking temperatures of 2003. 2018 is therefore a new benchmark for the Champagne region in terms of the heat, drought and sunshine levels.
Technical Information:
Vineyards: 100% Grand Cru | Aÿ
Grape Varieties: 70% Pinot Noir & 30% Meunier
Base vintage: 2018
Disgorgement: Jan 2023
Lees Ageing: 4 years
Dosage: 9 g/l
Drink: Now to 2030
Tasting Note: The first nose reveals subtle and floating floral notes (acacia, peony) rapidly enveloped by sugary sensations of mirabelle, crushed strawberry and frangipani. The floral notes revealed on the nose are found back on the palate and result in flavours of acacia honey. The heart of the tasting is intense, ample and full-bodied. Nuances of pear, red fruits, and spices reminiscent of Timur berries are mixed. The perfect balance of the finish is underlined by a delicate note of blood orange.
