PL Award 1: SILVER - IWC 2013 PL Award 2:  SILVER - DWWA 2013 PL Award 3:SILVER - DWWA 2012 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:  The "D Collection" wines are Devaux's very best. The grapes come from highly select, sustainably farmed parcels across 35 hectares. The majority of the vineyards are situated in the Aube on Kimmeridgian limestone-clay soils. This continental location, on the slopes of the Côte des Bars, is important; it gives the Pinot Noir richness on the nose and a long finish, while retaining finesse. The Chardonnay in the blend is grown on the fine chalky soils of the Côte des Blancs, Vitry and Montgueux ("the Meursault of Champagne") to give liveliness and elegance. Vinification: 90% of the base wines are fermented in stainless steel, with 10% fermented in 300 litre barrels. This is followed by partial malolactic fermentation. The blend comprises 40% reserve wines (50% for the magnum), a quarter of which are from two perpetual soleras: a Chardonnay solera and a Cuvée D solera that have been going since 1995 and 2002 respectively. The remaining reserve wines are aged in large oak casks. Following bottling, the liqueur de tirage is added and the wine has a slow second fermentation in bottle and extended ageing on its lees for over 60 months (the legal minimum is 15 months). This results in a wine with a finer, more persistent mousse and greater potential for complexity. After disgorgement, the wine receives a light brut dosage of 7g/l. Tasting Notes: The Cuvée D is rich and intense, with lively acidity bringing balance, freshness and minerality. As James Halliday describes, "there is a plethora of spiced, dried and fresh fruits, balance and freshness provided by a surge of citrussy acidity on the finish. And aftertaste." The Pinot Noir gives body and length to the wine, while the Chardonnay adds elegance and finesse. Closure: Natural Cork  ABV:  12%