May12, 2016

Champagne Barrat Masson is a small champagne house whose vineyards are located in Bethon. This is a commune in the Marne department of Champagne in northeastern France.

In 2010 they changed from a grower to a Champagne House with the 2011 harvest being their first harvest for their Champagne Barrat Masson.

Fleur de Craie NV Champagne

This is 100% Chardonnay from the 2011 harvest with a dosage of 5 g/l. This is an exciting bottle since this is their first bottling since becoming their own champagne house.

Being 100% Chardonnay this is considered a Blanc de Blancs however they chose not to label it as such. The name translated as “the flower of the chalk” does describe the wines expression. These vines have an average age of 40 years an are planted in clay limestone soil. The champagne is made from the “couer” or the first press. The wine is aged on its lees for about 9 months and goes through partial maloactic fermentation. The wine is aged in the bottle for at least 24 months and at least 3 months after disgorging.

This champagne has  light straw color with those tiny streaming bubbles. On the aroma there is such freshness of nutty citrus with a touch of sweet brioche. On the palate, the minerality pleasantly makes it appearance with the balanced wine. The finish is lively with slight brioche and citrus laced with the minerality of the wine.

Lady Elena Caviar and Champagne Pairing

O My Setra Caviar (Osetra): This is a great pairing. The minerality and the liveliness of the champagne balances the creaminess of the Osetra caviar. The palate is cleansed with some floral orange blossoms lingering.