J. Lassalle "Cuvée Préférence" Brut Premier Cru Champagne NV

A lively Champagne in an aperitif style, with crunchy acidity and a delicate bead. Candied lemon, white flowers, mint, white pepper and pear give the Préférence its distinctive, bright personality, an impression that is reinforced by the wine's subtle mousse, refined feel and nervy finish. Notes of marzipan and chalk linger on the palate. This is a very pretty, subtle Champagne.

This grower Champagne's bottling embodies Lassalle's signature, bold-yet-finessed house style par excellence. The "Cuvée Préférence" is a subtle evocation of the senses, a constantly renewing enchantment of magical bubbles. A traditional blend of 60% Pinot Meunier, 20% Chardonnay and 20% Pinot Noir, the grapes come from 50-year-old vines planted in clay and limestone in over 13 premier cru hectares and farmed organically. 

Jules Lassalle established this family-owned Champagne house in 1942 in the village of Chigny-Les-Roses on the Montagne de Reims. His daughter and granddaughter, Chantal and Angéline, now run the domaine, following the same strictly-traditional standards Jules established. They use the same wooden basket press he installed in the winery over fifty years ago, pressing and vinifying the individual plots separately. It is one of the rare Champagnes that has been allowed to finish its malolactic fermentation, just like the great whites from the Côte d’Or. Every bottle is riddled by hand, aged on the lees for 48 months, and aged extensively once in bottle.