Champagne Devaux Stenope 2013

Drink it now or cellar for up to 30 years. No need to decant. Serve it chilled. Dating back to the 19th century, Maison Devaux is one of the historic and most renowned estates in the Cote des Bar in Champagne. For over a century, the winery was a family business, until it was passed to Union Auboise in 1987. Today, the estate extends over approximately 140 hectares of vineyards and produces a wide range of iconic vintage and non-vintage champagnes. Produced in a limited edition from a blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, Stenope is a vintage extra-brut Champagne, the result of a partnership with Michel Chapoutier, a renowned winemaker from the Rhone Valley. After the harvest, fermentation takes place in 300-liter oak barrels from the Champagne-Ardenne region. In the glass, Stenope reveals an intense and brilliant color with yellow tones tending towards gold. Its aromatic profile is mature and fragrant with notes of citrus, yellow apple, and mirabelle plums, toasted, and pastry hints. On the palate, it is lively and tense, juicy and fresh with a medium body and a marked acidity. The finish is long and recalls a bitterish aftertaste. On its own, it makes an elegant aperitif, but it also pairs well with seafood finger food, scallops, and poultry.

Price: £84.74 from 8wines UK