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Champagne Armand de Brignac Debuts Blanc de Noirs Assemblage Three

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Published
09/05/2019 by

Champagne Armand de Brignac announces the U.S. arrival of its Blanc de Noirs Assemblage Three (A3), the third assemblage of its ultra-prestige cuvée. The highly-anticipated debut follows the inaugural blend, awarded #1 Blanc de Noirs champagne in the world in 2016, following a blind tasting of 250 cuvées as part of the annual rankings by FINE Champagne Magazine and Tastingbook.com, and the Blanc de Noirs Assemblage Two (A2), which received 96 points from Decanter Magazine.

Only 3,535 bottles of Armand de Brignac Blanc de Noirs A3 were created for the world, disgorged on April 9, 2019 after resting on lees for six years. Produced by 13th-generation champagne growers, the Cattier family, the cuvée is made from 100 percent Pinot Noir grapes carefully sourced from some of the best Pinot Noir producing villages in the Montagne de Reims including Bouzy, Verzenay, Chigny-les-Roses, Ludes and Rilly-la-Montagne. A winemaking signature of all the Armand de Brignac champagnes, only the very first and freshest portion of the cuvée press is used to create the Blanc de Noirs A3, and a trio of vintages (2009, 2010, 2012) create more depth and character than a singular vintage expression.

Fruit reigns supreme in this cuvée, chiefly from the 2012, which is the principal part of the blend. 2012 was an exceptional vintage that is at its peak now, and brings wonderful complexity, red fruits and notes of butter to the A3. The 2009 gives intensity and richness, while the 2010 provides structure and good balance. Altogether, this trio produces a whole far greater than the sum of its parts, a bouquet that is rich and complex with notes of apricot, blackberry and gingerbread. The wine opens luminously, complemented with elegant touches of white flowers, light tobacco, chocolate, strawberries, plum and orange blossom. On the palate, vibrant red fruit with notes of strawberry, blackberry, blackcurrant, pastry, cherry and plum. Hints of lemon and walnut create a complex wine with elegant freshness while kindling aromas of chocolate, blackcurrant and pepper provide extraordinary length.

"We first released a Blanc de Noirs in 2015, almost exactly one year after our owner acquired the brand," says Sebastien Besson, CEO, Armand de Brignac. "The first release of this extraordinarily rare cuvée, was the result of our winemakers' first ever attempt to create a 100% Pinot Noir prestige champagne. We are fortunate to have achieved exceptional critical acclaim for both the first and second assemblages of Blanc de Noirs, and having tasted the A3 with our winemakers, we are confident it is perfect and ready for release now, and will certainly not disappoint."

"Because of the power that comes from using 100% red fruit, it can be challenging to achieve a balanced Blanc de Noirs," says Chef de Cave, Jean-Jacques Cattier. "Because we do not have any pressure to create volume, we are able to be extremely selective. Using small parcels of only the very best Pinot Noir, we're able to meticulously balance the acidity and sugar, achieving a Blanc de Noirs with integrity to the powerful style, but with balance and elegance," he adds.

"The Blanc de Noirs A3 is an extraordinarily gourmet wine with richness, intensity and length but it is not too heavy, as some can be," Jean-Jacques notes. "This wine is in harmony with its duality; think sugar and salt pairings with spice, richness, and sweetness. Pair this cuvée with Foie Gras, tagine of lamb or a roast chicken with cranberry sauce."

Every bottle of Armand de Brignac Blanc de Noirs A3 is inscribed with its unique number (1 to 3,535), in addition to its disgorgement date, showcasing the rarity, exclusivity and collectability of this ultra-prestige cuvée. As a signature mark of all Armand de Brignac cuvées, each dark metalized bottle of Blanc de Noirs A3 is finished by hand with the application of a French pewter label and a final hand polishing before being placed in a handcrafted wooden lacquered gift box. A highly-trained team of just 18 craftspeople touch each bottle throughout the process from pressing the fruit to departure from the cellars in France.  

The highly limited number of bottles of Armand de Brignac Blanc de Noirs Assemblage Three are available at fine wine stores in select cities globally, including Sherry Lehmann, Mel and Rose and Wine.com in the USA.

750ml MSRP: USD $1,000

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