PL Award 1: SILVER - SWA 2010 Country: France  Region: Champagne Varietal: Sparkling (Champagne style)Vintage: NV  Category: Champagne  Colour: WhiteProducer: Devaux "Founded in 1846 by the brothers Jules and Auguste Devaux, it was subsequently taken over by Madame Augusta Devaux, one of Champagne’s great characters, who ran the company with great energy and skill. The leap forward in quality that she had initiated led to the company being renamed Maison Veuve A. Devaux on her death.Today, Devaux is situated in the magnificent setting of the Manor at Domaine de Villeneuve, now restored to its former glory and splendour. Devaux is a Pinot Noir specialist and their vineyards in the heart of the Côte des Bar, in the south of the Champagne region, produce some of the best Pinot Noir in the whole appellation.The Devaux Champagnes are full and expressive yet elegant and refreshing. Only the initial, lightly-pressed juice (the cuvée) is used. The ‘Classiques’ Champagnes are aged on their lees for at least three years (twice the minimum dictated by Champagne law) and the flagship ‘Collection D’ range for at least five years, which contributes to their complexity of flavour and integrated, fine mousse. The ‘Cuvée D’ comprises a minimum of 35% reserve wines and is aged in large oak casks, while the ‘D Rosé’ has finesse and hints of red berries. The ‘D Millésime’ 2006 spent over seven years extended ageing on its lees and displays exceptional complexity, structure and balance. The ‘D de Devaux’ Vintage 2008 spent over six years extended ageing on its lees resulting in a wine of complexity, finesse, structure and balance. The Sténopé is a collaboration between Michel Parisot from Devaux and Michel Chapoutier, the renowned winemaker from the Rhône Valley. Sharing the same philosophy about vineyards and respect for the land, they decided to create an exceptional Champagne that take a snapshot of a particular vintage as a faithful representation of it, hence the name which means ‘pinhole camera’ in French. Sténopé will be made every year from a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir carefully selected by Michel Parisot among his preferred plots. It is made in very limited quantities and is already considered as a collector’s wine."Product Features: Vegan;Vegetarian Winemaker: Michel Parisot  Vineyards:  Devaux are Pinot Noir specialists. The majority of their vineyards are located in the Aube where Pinot Noir is the dominant variety. This location, on the slopes of the Côte des Bars, is important; it gives this variety a lovely Pinot Noir richness on the nose and a long finish, yet retains the finesse. Some Chardonnay is included in the blend; this is also grown in the Côte des Bar, with a proportion from the fine chalky soils of the Côte des Blancs to give liveliness and elegance. The high quality of the fruit from these vineyards ensure that the final dosage is low. Vinification: The base wine was fermented in stainless steel, followed by malolactic fermentation to give extra suppleness. The blending of wines from different vineyards and from different harvests ensures the consistency of the NV Grande Reserve. The blend comprises 20% reserve wines, half of which are aged in French oak vats. Following bottling, the liqueur de tirage was added and the wine underwent a slow second fermentation in bottle and extended ageing on its lees for 36 months (the legal minimum is 15 months). This resulted in a wine with a finer, more persistent mousse and greater potential for complexity. After disgorgement, the wine received a light Brut dosage of 9g/l. Tasting Notes: The wine has a lovely Pinot Noir richness on the nose, with aromas of baked apples and vanilla. On the palate, it is full, rounded and well balanced, with a lively, persistent finish. Closure: Natural Cork  ABV:  12% Classification: AOC