Champagne Duval-Leroy Brut Réserve

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.

• Blanc de Blancs (often made from 100% ‘Chardonnay’) is one of the house's flagship styles, known for its fresh aromas of citrus fruits and white flowers, along with an elegant minerality. Extended aging on lees imparts complexity and refinement to the Champagnes.
• Brut Champagnes feature a harmonious blend of ‘Chardonnay’, ‘Pinot Noir’, and ‘Meunier’, giving them both freshness and richness.
• Rosé Champagnes are elegant and fruity, with aromas of red berries and subtle spices.

Prestigious Vineyards

Duval-Leroy owns vineyards in three main Champagne regions, each contributing to the character of their Champagnes:

• The Côte des Blancs is renowned for its high-quality ‘Chardonnay’, which lends elegance, minerality, and subtlety to the Champagnes. Famous Grand Cru villages such as Cramant, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, and Avize are located here.
• The Montagne de Reims is famous for its ‘Pinot Noir’ and ‘Meunier’ varieties, which provide structure, richness, and red fruit aromas to the Champagnes.
• The Vallée de la Marne is also an important region where ‘Meunier’ is grown, contributing to the fruitiness and suppleness of the 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.

Champagne Duval-Leroy

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