Les Riceys - 2015
Domaine Nowack
4.1 / 5.0
- Region
- France » Champagne AOC
- Type
- white traditional sparkling, extra brut
- Producer
- Domaine Nowack
- Vintage
- 2015
- Disgorged
- 2022-03
- On lees
- 72 months
- Grapes
- Pinot Noir
- Alcohol
- 12
- Sugar
- 2.2
- PriceLast known price excluding delivery (unknown date)
- 4200 UAH
- Cellar
- not available
Ratings
4.1 / 5.0·
This wine presents a combination of sunflower seeds, white flowers, bruised red apples, and white cherry, with a subtle presence of mushrooms. It leans more towards mineral notes than fruity ones. Initially, both the nose and palate offer a burst of intensity, but this quickly gives way to a thinner experience on the palate, culminating in a warm aftertaste that, while present, is sparse in flavours. The mineral aspect is intriguing, though the wine doesn't reach the heights of being truly captivating. Its main drawback lies in its balance, particularly where ethanol feels somewhat disjointed from the rest of the profile.
Wine #2 on Small Growers: 45 years past the revolution event.
Domaine Nowack
Domaine Nowack, located in Vandières in the Vallée de la Marne, has rapidly gained recognition as a leader of innovation and quality in the Champagne region, thanks to the visionary work of Flavien Nowack. Since joining his family's domaine in 2011, Flavien has embraced a modern approach, becoming part of a movement that emphasises the production of single-vineyard, single-variety, and single-vintage Champagnes. This approach underscores his commitment to expressing the unique terroir of Vandières with clarity and precision, which are rare in the region.
Flavien's dedication to organic farming and his insistence on harvesting grapes only at full maturity reflects his respect for nature and his desire to create wines that fully express their origin. Starting with three hectares of vineyards handed down by his father, Flavien set out to craft three distinct Champagnes, each from a different single parcel of Meunier, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay. Remarkably, all these parcels are situated at the same elevation within Vandières, yet they reveal striking differences in the wines, highlighting the nuances of each varietal when grown in the same terroir.
Flavien's non-interventionist philosophy extends from the vineyard to the cellar. By avoiding chaptalization (the addition of sugar to the must) and malolactic fermentation, he preserves the pure, delicate flavours of his grapes. He also relies on natural yeast from unfermented grape must for the secondary fermentation in the bottle, a technique that enhances the vinous character of his Champagnes. Additionally, Flavien bottles his wines under lower pressure than is typical for Champagne, contributing to their distinctive, vinous texture and style.