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Sparkling dry
"Femme de Champagne" is a prestige cuvee champagne made from different vintages. The dominant Chardonnay grapes are from the Grand Crus vineyards of Mont-Aigu (Chouilly), Chapelle (Avize), Terre de Noel (Oger) and Chetillon and Aillerand (Mesnil sur Oger), giving the drink a fresh, expressive acidity. Pinot Noir, meanwhile, gives strength and character. The grape juice from each plot is fermented in separate oak barrels. It follows the unforgettable 1990, 1995, 1996 and 2000 vintages. Its golden yellow color bears fine lines of bubbles that reveal complex notes of lively maturity: brioche, vanilla and woody aromas alternating with citrus fruit such as lemon and mandarin. A fine attack of mouth is followed by a silky touch with infinite persistence.
Serve at 8-10 °C with oysters, seafood, fish dishes and eggs benedict.
Mineral and spicy in the nose, hazelnut, licorice, peanut, algae, a hint of vanilla, very fine mousse, delicate yet tantalizing palate, discreetly presented substance, elegance and grace, and yet a lot of mineral firmness. And just just so much sweetness that freshness and fine-ness remain in the foreground.
The NV Brut Grand Cru Femme de Champagne (L6305NM, disgorged in October 2016, tasted in November 2017) is a blend of four grand cru villages: Avize, Chouilly, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger (Chardonnay: 80%) and Ambonnay (Pinot Noir: 20%). Fermented at 14% in oak, the wine opens with a clear, fresh and subtle bouquet of white fruits with citrus flavors that indicate the freshness and finesse of Chardonnay. It is a lean and very elegant, juicy but also creamy and well-structured blend with a long and aromatic finish that reveals the junior Pinot Noir part. There is nice salinity and green tea flavors (mint) in the aftertaste. This is still a very fresh and youthful example. Dosage: five grams per liter.
A powerful prestige cuvée with a dense palate, formed by fine bubbles. It’s very dry and phenolic with some tannin that makes it crunchy and intense. Dried apple, peach and pear. Needs a few years to soften but already delicious.
Established in 1859 in the village of Vertus, in the heart of the prestigious Côte des Blancs, the Champagne house Duval-Leroy was founded by wine merchants Jules Duval and Edouard Leroy. After World War II, their production began to grow rapidly, and the company further strengthened its position when Jean Charles Duval took over its management. He introduced modern technologies and advanced equipment, significantly contributing to the company's expansion. Following the unexpected death of J. Ch. Duval, his wife Carol Duval-Leroy, often referred to as the "iron lady," took the helm. Following the example of famous Champagne widows – Veuve Clicquot, Lily Bollinger, and Louise Pommery – she continues to successfully lead the company to this day.
In 2007, Carol Duval-Leroy became the first woman elected as the head of the Association Viticole Champenoise (AVC), demonstrating her leadership and influence in the region. Duval-Leroy owns 200 hectares of vineyards in the prestigious Côte des Blancs, Montagne de Reims, and Vallée de la Marne regions and is the ninth-largest vineyard owner in Champagne. It is a family-owned company that has managed to remain independent even as major Champagne producers were being sold or merged with large conglomerates. The high quality of their Champagnes is consistently recognized – in 2008, Duval-Leroy was the only Champagne to be included in the list of the World's Top 100 Wines, and in recent years, almost all of their main Champagnes have been rated 90 points or higher.
Wine Style
Duval-Leroy Champagnes are characterized by elegance, subtlety, and excellent balance, reflecting the specific terroir of the different Champagne regions. Great emphasis is placed on the ‘Chardonnay’ variety, which dominates their vineyards in the Côte des Blancs.
Prestigious Vineyards
Duval-Leroy owns vineyards in three main Champagne regions, each contributing to the character of their Champagnes:
The yields from these different terroirs and meticulous work in the cellar allow Duval-Leroy to create diverse and high-quality Champagnes.
Aging and Drinking Period
Duval-Leroy Champagnes are aged in cellars for an extended period, often exceeding the appellation requirements. This imparts greater complexity, finer bubbles, and a longer finish. While some Champagnes can be enjoyed in their youth, the top-tier cuvées, especially the “Blanc de Blancs,” have excellent potential to age and evolve for many years, gaining even more elegance and nuance. Duval-Leroy Champagnes are valued for both their youthful freshness and their mature complexity.
