Joseph Perrier Cuvée Royale Brut Nature, Champagne

Joseph Perrier has been crafting Champagne in Châlons-en-Champagne since 1825, guided today by Benjamin Fourmon, the sixth generation of the founding family. The Cuvée Royale Brut Nature is drawn from premier and grand cru vineyards, mainly along the Montagne de Reims, and made from roughly equal parts Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. With no dosage added, the wine relies entirely on the fruit's balance and natural ripeness. It spends around three years on lees, developing texture and depth while retaining a clear, precise expression of its base wines. On the nose, it shows citrus, stone fruit and white flowers, underpinned by fresh pastry and chalk. The palate is lively and dry, with orchard fruits, lemon zest and a saline finish that speaks of its chalk-rich origins. This is Champagne in its purest form, exact, transparent and confident in its craftsmanship.