Description

Francoise Bedel et Fils NV ‘Entre Ciel et Terre’ Brut
47% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir, 24% Pinot Meunier | Alc: 12% – Rich and Creamy
Vallee de la Marne, Champagne, France

Winemaker’s notes:
Francoise Bedel et Fils “Entre Ciel et Terre” means between sky and earth.
One of the biggest proponents of the Pinot Meunier grape, Françoise’s holdings are primarily made up of this varietal now and it features highly in her bottlings. In Crouttes-sur-Marne, Françoise Bedel tends vines just feet from the Marne river. The vineyards are planted on a complex soil structure of chalk, gravel, clay, and some grey schist in some parcels. Her south and southeast facing vineyards are worked year round by her son Vincent and not a drop of non-organic treatments have been used on the vines since 1997. This is as far west as you can go in Champagne and still be in Champagne.
Even though this is officially a non-vintage wine, this bottling always comes from a single vintage using indigenous yeast.

Critical Acclaim:
“Exhibit A in the case for Bedel and her obscure terroir must be a NV Brut Entre Ciel et Terre, which places Meunier in something more like its usual supporting role, letting Chardonnay and Pinot step forward. Jasmine, green tea, lime, grapefruit, and white currant inform a brightly penetrating yet subtly perfumed nose, whose elements are joined on a palpably lees-enriched yet vivacious and consummately refreshing palate by nut oils, smoky toasted grain and saliva-liberating salinity. A subtle sense of textural oiliness reinforces the nut and citrus oil aspects but without deflecting any of this wine’s effusive juiciness or dimming the invigorating tang incorporated in a mouthwateringly long finish tinged with iodine.”  93 Pts – Wine Advocate

“Vivid gold. An exotically perfumed bouquet displays floral honey, poached pear, red currant, white flowers and chalky minerals. A hint of toasted nuts comes up with air and carries onto the palate, adding depth to lively blood orange and orchard fruit flavors. Weighty but lively as well, with strong finishing cut, a nutty echo and very good smoky persistence”  90 Pts – Stephen Tanzer’s IWC

“Mineral flavors and a silvery, citrus edge, with hints of iodine, are backed by a vibrant structure. Honey and nascent coffee notes play out on the long finish.”  92 Pts – Wine Spectator

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