Leclerc Briant

Abyss 2018 | Bottle 75cl - Presentation pack

Description

The Abyss 2018 Cuvée from Champagne Leclerc Briant is a unique sensory experience where the terrestrial meets the aerial and the marine. Composed of Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier, and Pinot Noir, it reflects a very precise elaboration, but above all, an aging underwater that gives the wine a unique patina.

The Making of the Abyss 2018 Leclerc Briant Champagne

Abyss is one of the most original cuvées of Champagne. Immersed for 1 year in the marine depths east of the island of Ouessant, the Abyss cuvée is an adventure.

The House of Leclerc Briant had the idea of immersing a specially crafted cuvée after the discovery in the Baltic Sea of a champagne cargo that had spent over 170 years underwater.

In partnership with Amphoris, a company specializing in underwater operations, the House and its cellar master Hervé Jestin imagined a tailor-made cuvée.

Hervé Jestin chose terroirs renowned for their limestone subsoil for this cuvée to create a link with the marine subsoil of the Bay of Stiff, at the eastern tip of the island of Ouessant.

He thus selected Chardonnays from the terroir of Bisseuil, Pinot Noirs from Avenay-Val-d'Or, and Pinot Meuniers from Vrigny. Each grape variety is represented equally.

The 2018 vintage in Champagne is marked by exceptional climatic conditions, offering an abundant and high-quality harvest. The year began with a mild and rainy winter, allowing optimal recharging of the water tables. The spring was hot and sunny, promoting rapid vine growth and homogeneous flowering. The summer, exceptionally hot, was punctuated by rare precipitation, ensuring ideal grape maturity. The harvest, which began in mid-September, took place under perfect conditions, allowing for a generous, healthy, and balanced harvest. Thanks to these conditions, the 2018 vintage produced grapes with beautiful aromatic concentration and well-controlled acidity, guaranteeing wines of great finesse and promising aging potential.

The Abyss 2018 cuvée is the result of a balanced blend of 33.3% Chardonnay, 33.3% Pinot Meunier, and 33.3% Pinot Noir. After meticulous vinification, the bottles are placed in the cellar for the second fermentation in June 2019. In the summer of 2022, the bottles are immersed in the sea for a duration of 12 months. The stable temperature and the movement of the marine currents give this cuvée unique characteristics. The Abyss cuvée is offered without dosage, thus preserving all its aromatic purity and natural vivacity.

Tasting the Cuvée

• Color

  The Abyss 2018 presents with a luminous and satiny color, a pale yellow gold with bright straw yellow reflections. A brilliant color that reflects its freshness and energy.

• Nose

  On the nose, this cuvée reveals aromas of juicy yellow apple. Upon aeration, marine accents of sea spray, mint, and lemon bring characteristic freshness.

• Palate

  On the palate, the attack is velvety and the substance reveals itself as pulpy and delicate. A citrus acidity radiates, supporting a finish marked by a strong marine evocation.

Pairing Suggestions

Appetizers

• Oysters with lemon and Timut pepper
• Red tuna sashimi
• Grilled shrimp with herbs

Main Courses

• Pan-fried sea bass with lemon butter
• Langoustine ravioli
• Squid ink risotto

Desserts

• Lemon and basil sorbet
• Citrus tart
• Vanilla macarons

The Price of the Abyss 2018 Leclerc Briant Bottle

The price of the Abyss 2018 Leclerc Briant bottle is 222,95 €. This rate reflects the complexity of underwater aging and the exceptional quality of the selected grapes.

Reviews of the Abyss 2018 Leclerc Briant Cuvée

Champagne lovers appreciate the minerality and purity of this cuvée. The marine nuances and fruity freshness particularly appeal to connoisseurs seeking atypical cuvées. Discover more reviews here: Reviews of the Abyss 2018 Leclerc Briant cuvée.

Storing This Champagne

To preserve all the qualities of the Abyss 2018 Leclerc Briant, it is recommended to store it at a temperature between 10 and 12°C, lying down and away from light. This champagne has an aging potential of 5 to 10 years.

The Leclerc Briant Style

The Leclerc Briant style is characterized by a bold and visionary approach to champagne, combining respect for terroirs and innovative techniques such as underwater immersion. Each cuvée reflects a philosophy focused on the purest expression of the grapes and the exploration of new paths.