Penet-Chardonnet Champagne Grande Reserve

Penet-Chardonnet, Champagne, Grand Cru, Grande Reserve, Extra Brut nv There is a light golden color in the glass and the biscuit notes are quite developed in the nose – very complex. Besides the biscuits there are browned apples, cherries and toasted nuts. The mouth is electric with acidity, tasting of granny smiths and cranberries. This elegant wine goes on and on – a treat.

Alexandre Penet visited with our Wine Marketing class at the Santa Rosa Junior College to discuss and taste wine from his family’s estate in Verzy. The grapes for this wine all come from the family’s vineyards, all grand cru – 2/3 Pinot Noir and 1/3 Chardonnay. The base wine was created from the 2001 vintage; the wine did not go through malolactic, the reserve wines (20%) were aged in oak and the final blend aged on the lees for over 7 years after the second fermentation. There is no dosage at all. Elabore par Christian Penet a Verzy 12% $100+ estimated retail when in distribution.

About RJ

Ray Johnson is the Executive Director of the Wine Business Institute at Sonoma State University. He writes about food and wine, his travels and the business of wine. He makes his home in Sonoma County, California.
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