Bereche et Fils "Le Cran" Brut Grand Cru 2016 - 1.5 Liter -
(Champagne, France) - [VM 96]

About the Winery:
The famed Champagne House Bereche et Fils was founded in 1847 and like most Grower Champagne, it was virtually unheard of until recently. The innovative work of young Raphael and Vincent Bereche has made this one of the most talked about Champagne houses among France’s sommeliers, cavistes and connoisseurs. With lavish praise from Peter Liem and Antonio Galloni, the same is beginning to happen the United States.

About the Wine:

A blend of two Ludes vineyards – 50% Chardonnay from Les Hautes Plantes (West exposure) and 50% Pinot Noir from Le Vignes St Jean (East exposure)

Aged under cork for >78 months before disgorgement, and dosed around 3g/l.

Surface area: 0.52 ha

Age of the vines: 45 years

Altitude: 220 m - 9% slope

Terroir: Montagne de Reims, Ludes 1er Cru, "Les Hautes Plantes" plots facing west and "Les Vignes Saint Jean" facing east, both located at an altitude of 220m on the Cran de Ludes

Soil: Lean, very calcareous, outcropping chalk

Maturation: Slow fermentation in barrels, ageing on lees, fermentation under cork - 78 months in the cellar

Ratings & Reviews

96 Points - Vinous Media:
“The 2016 Extra Brut Le Cran is gorgeous. Rich and exotic, the 2016 is immediately alluring right out of the gate. Apricot, chamomile, spice, mint, dried pear, tangerine peel and almonds all grace this soaring, beautifully layered edition of Le Cran. The rich, exotic side of late-picked Chardonnay in this vintage is beautifully complimented by the structure of Pinot Noir. Le Cran is a blend of fruit from the Les Vignes Saint Jean and Les Hautes Plantes lieux-dits, all in Ludes. Dosage is 3.65 grams per liter. Disgorged July 2023.” – Antonio Galloni (Mar 2024)