Vouette et Sorbee Cuvee Fidele Extra Brut, Champagne NV (2012) 750ML ($89.95) Buy Now: $59 special
Case-6 Vouette et Sorbee Cuvee Fidele Extra Brut, Champagne NV (2012) 750ML ($479.95) Buy Now: $336 special (that’s only $56/bottle!)
Vouette et Sorbee Fidele 2012
Ever since my first taste of grower Champagne (Pierre Peters Cuvee Reserve), I was hooked. Sure I had enjoyed Veuve Yellow Label, Moet and especially a few sips of a Dom Perignon, but here was something decidedly… other… different… and special about grower Champagne. Not knowing about farmer fizz at the time, I can honestly say it wasn’t the story that first got me interested, but truly the taste. It revealed layers of flavors, complexity and acidity with an extroverted personality all its own.
Since that day, I’ve been chasing grower Champagnes. It’s an exciting prospect. Each new release offers a distinctive take on that vintage. Even NV blends show a unique personality year in, year out since the farmers are bound by the micro terroir of their own vineyards.
With that background in mind, I can say with pleasure that I’ve had the opportunity to enjoy the past three releases of the Vouette et Sorbee Fidele (’09, ’10 and ’11). The Champagne is made with a small amount of reserve wine held in solera and topped off with each vintage. It gives the wine a core note of lightly oxidation that shows more or less depending upon the vintage. This year, that note hit the mid-palate with a savory-salty wisp of butterscotch and preserved lemon. I particularly like the way it plays off the richness and aromatics to keep everything in balance. The 2012 is best described as a marriage of the previous releases. Here we find the heady fig, floral and orchard fruit notes of the 2009 with the solid acidity and grace of the 2011 and the spice, body, length and structure of the 2010. It’s a mélange of distinct flavors, the complexity is astounding, all balanced by the unique influence of the reserve wine base.
I suggest decanting the Champagne if you must break into it now (the Champagne showed even better the second night) otherwise cellar for a couple years. -Suzanne
Antonio Galloni – Vinous 95 points “The NV (2012) Extra Brut Fidele is another fabulous wine from Vouette & Sorbée. Here, the richness of Pinot Noir comes through loud and clear in the wine’s depth and overall richness. Creamy and beautifully layered throughout, the 2012 hits all the right notes. Red berry, mint, flowers, sweet spices and candy fill out the wine’s broad frame effortlessly. What a gorgeous wine this is. Simply put, the 2012 is a total knock-out.”