2017 Bérêche et Fils Grand Cru Aӱ

Artisanal excellence from the heart of Aÿ — one of Champagne's most celebrated and historic Grand Cru villages. The 2017 Bérêche et Fils Grand Cru Aÿ represents the pinnacle of family grower Champagne craftsmanship — a wine of extraordinary depth, structure and Pinot Noir intensity, expressing the unique terroir of Aÿ with the precision and care that has made Bérêche et Fils one of Champagne's most celebrated and respected artisanal producers.

From Raphaël and Vincent Bérêche — the Bérêche family has been farming in Champagne since 1847, now producing wines of extraordinary quality and terroir expression through minimal intervention winemaking and meticulous vineyard management. Aÿ — one of Champagne's most celebrated and historic Grand Cru villages, renowned for producing some of the region's most powerful and expressive Pinot Noir-based Champagnes. 97+ points and outstanding value at $570 (on sale from $610).

97+ Points – Vinous

Aÿ, Grand Cru, Champagne, France

$570 a bottle (on sale from $610)
Grand Cru Aÿ • Bérêche et Fils • Aÿ • Champagne

"Aÿ — one of Champagne's most celebrated and historic Grand Cru villages. Raphaël and Vincent Bérêche's 2017 expression of Aÿ's extraordinary Pinot Noir terroir — 97+ points and artisanal excellence at $570."

About Aÿ Grand Cru

Aÿ is one of Champagne's most celebrated and historic Grand Cru villages — situated on the right bank of the Marne, renowned for producing some of the region's most powerful, structured and expressive Pinot Noir-based Champagnes. The village's south-facing slopes, chalky soils and exceptional sun exposure produce Pinot Noir of extraordinary concentration, depth and complexity — the foundation of some of Champagne's greatest and most age-worthy wines. Bérêche et Fils's Grand Cru Aÿ is a wine of extraordinary terroir expression — 97+ points and one of the most compelling Grand Cru Aÿ expressions available in Australia.

About Bérêche et Fils

Bérêche et Fils is one of Champagne's most celebrated and respected family grower-producers — the Bérêche family has been farming in Champagne since 1847, now run by brothers Raphaël and Vincent Bérêche with a singular focus on expressing the extraordinary terroir of their Grand Cru and Premier Cru vineyards through minimal intervention winemaking of the highest quality. Meticulous vineyard management, extended lees aging and a deep respect for terroir have established Bérêche et Fils as one of Champagne's most exciting and celebrated artisanal producers.

Tasting Notes

Appearance:
Beautiful golden with fine, persistent bubbles creating an elegant and lively mousse — luminous, structured and deeply inviting.

Aroma:
Complex and inviting with:

• ripe red fruits, cherry and strawberry — the hallmark of great Aÿ Pinot Noir
• brioche, honey and toasted almonds — from extended lees aging
• subtle spice and gingerbread
• distinctive chalky minerality from Aÿ's Grand Cru soils

Grand Cru Aÿ Champagne of extraordinary aromatic complexity — the red fruit intensity and chalky mineral precision of Aÿ's Grand Cru Pinot Noir beautifully integrated with the brioche richness and toasted complexity of extended lees aging.

Palate:
Full-bodied and structured with remarkable depth.
Expect layers of:

• cherry, strawberry and citrus zest
• vanilla, gingerbread and toasted almonds
• subtle smokiness and spice
• distinctive chalky minerality from Aÿ's Grand Cru soils
• exceptional structure delivering extraordinary tension, balance and length

The wine delivers Pinot Noir richness with Grand Cru mineral precision, combining Raphaël and Vincent Bérêche's celebrated minimal-intervention winemaking with Aÿ's extraordinary Grand Cru terroir and the extended lees aging that defines great Bérêche et Fils Champagne.

Finish:
Long and satisfying with lingering red fruit, toasted almonds and the distinctive smokiness and chalky minerality that speaks to its Grand Cru Aÿ origins.

Critical Acclaim

97+ pts – Vinous

Wine Details

• Vintage: 2017
• Blend: Predominantly Pinot Noir with Chardonnay
• Classification: Grand Cru
• Village: Aÿ, Grand Cru, Champagne, France
• Producer: Bérêche et Fils
• Winemakers: Raphaël and Vincent Bérêche
• Style: Vintage Champagne, extended lees aging, minimal intervention
• Serving Temperature: 10–12°C
• Cellaring: Drink now – 2040+ (will develop extraordinary complexity with age)

Food Pairings

• Roast poultry — chicken, guinea fowl or pheasant
• Aged and washed-rind cheeses
• Black truffle dishes
• Foie gras
• Lobster and rich seafood
• As a sophisticated aperitif

Why We Love It

This is artisanal excellence from the heart of Aÿ — Raphaël and Vincent Bérêche's 2017 expression of one of Champagne's most celebrated and historic Grand Cru villages. 97+ points from Vinous.
At $570 (on sale from $610), it delivers outstanding Grand Cru Aÿ Champagne character and artisanal family grower quality at an exceptional price.

An essential acquisition for serious Champagne lovers and collectors.