96 point

Issuing from three old-vine parcels—Les Chalois, Les Baraquines and Les Côtes—rooted in deep, iron-rich red clay soils, the 2019 Blanc de Noirs Mailly-Champagne Grand Cru stands as the finest of Bérêche’s village bottlings this year. Disgorged in July 2024 with a dosage of 3.25 grams per liter, it soars from the glass with a deep bouquet of blood orange, ripe peach and pear, interwoven with nuances of dried flowers and smoke. Sourced predominantly from north-facing sites, it presents a medium- to full-bodied profile, marked by remarkable tension and definition. A vibrant core of youthful, bright fruit is underpinned by mouthwatering acidity, lending it impeccable precision that extends through a searingly chalky, enduring finish. The most accomplished wine from this estate this year, it comes with the highest recommendation.

96 point

The 2019 Extra-Brut Blanc de Noirs Mailly-Champagne Grand Cru is another fabulous wine in this range from Bérêche et Fils. This north-facing site handled the intense heat of the year especially well. Chalk, licorice, mint, white pepper, cranberry and dried flowers all run through this potent, driving offering. In 2019, the Mailly-Champagne is very clearly a standout. Impressive, and that is an understatement.