Nicolas Feuillatte Collection Vintage Blanc de Blancs 2008
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Wine
Enthusiast -
James
Suckling - Decanter
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Winemaker Notes
2008 is regarded as a great vintage in Champagne. The coldest season of the century so far, it was conducive to producing the aromatic precursors which ultimately shaped the aromatic complexity of this Champagne. While a complicated year from a weather perspective, unseasonably dry and sunny conditions in the first two weeks of September ensured healthy and highly concentrated grapes, picked at perfect ripeness.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
With its winery close to the Chardonnay heartland of the Côte des Blancs, it is no surprise that this massive cooperative can produce a fine Blanc de Blancs. This vintage iteration is mineral and full of tangy orange zest acidity. It also has a softer element from the dosage that comes through at the end to leave a balanced wine. Drink now.
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James Suckling
Rich and complex aromas of figs, walnuts, praline, quince and pastries. Lots of flavor in a medium body, with tight bubbles and bright acidity. Dry. Delicious now.
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Decanter
Deliciously floral and rounded, this has precision and finesse, readier than most 2008s. It is a crowd pleaser, an unassuming yet very approachable expression of the vintage and village alike. Drinking Window 2018 - 2022
Other Vintages
2014-
Wine
Spectator
- Decanter
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Wine
Spectator -
James
Suckling
40 years of unique history, starting with a beautiful story, a story of men. That of Henri MacQuart, pioneer founder of the Centre Vinicole de la Champagne (The Champagne Wine Centre). That of Nicolas Feuillatte, a daring businessman. That of volunteer winegrowers who, together, dare and succeed in a gamble to create a brand of excellence, Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte.
Anchored in the heart of the prestigious Côte de Blancs, our champagnes draw their strength and full flavors from a remarkable array of crus, enhanced by the subtle art of blending. Nicolas Feuillatte champagnes reflect the harmony, finesse and freshness of this unique region. An extensive variety of perfectly ripe grapes make up the champagnes in our range, vinified individually by cru or by area and by grape variety, together with a meticulous selection of Grand Crus and Premiers Crus.
Today Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte is the #1 Champagne in France and #3 in the world. There are over 250 employees working for Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte, based in Chouilly in the heart of the vineyard. On a daily basis, they work hand in hand with more than 5,000 member winegrowers, in the elaboration, distribution and marketing of champagne wine.
Representing the topmost expression of a Champagne house, a vintage Champagne is one made from the produce of a single, superior harvest year. Vintage Champagnes account for a mere 5% of total Champagne production and are produced about three times in a decade. Champagne is typically made as a blend of multiple years in order to preserve the house style; these will have non-vintage, or simply, NV on the label. The term, "vintage," as it applies to all wine, simply means a single harvest year.
Associated with luxury, celebration, and romance, the region, Champagne, is home to the world’s most prized sparkling wine. In order to bear the label, ‘Champagne’, a sparkling wine must originate from this northeastern region of France—called Champagne—and adhere to strict quality standards. Made up of the three towns Reims, Épernay, and Aÿ, it was here that the traditional method of sparkling wine production was both invented and perfected, birthing a winemaking technique as well as a flavor profile that is now emulated worldwide.
Well-drained, limestone and chalky soil defines much of the region, which lend a mineral component to its wines. Champagne’s cold, continental climate promotes ample acidity in its grapes but weather differences from year to year can create significant variation between vintages. While vintage Champagnes are produced in exceptional years, non-vintage cuvées are produced annually from a blend of several years in order to produce Champagnes that maintain a consistent house style.
With nearly negligible exceptions, . These can be blended together or bottled as individual varietal Champagnes, depending on the final style of wine desired. Chardonnay, the only white variety, contributes freshness, elegance, lively acidity and notes of citrus, orchard fruit and white flowers. Pinot Noir and its relative Pinot Meunier, provide the backbone to many blends, adding structure, body and supple red fruit flavors. Wines with a large proportion of Pinot Meunier will be ready to drink earlier, while Pinot Noir contributes to longevity. Whether it is white or rosé, most Champagne is made from a blend of red and white grapes—and uniquely, rosé is often produce by blending together red and white wine. A Champagne made exclusively from Chardonnay will be labeled as ‘blanc de blancs,’ while ones comprised of only red grapes are called ‘blanc de noirs.’