A.R. Lenoble, Intense Brut, Champagne, France, NV

Overview of the Wine
AR Lenoble is one of the rare producers in Champagne that has been consistently family-owned and entirely independent since the very beginning. Sister-and-brother owners Anne and Antoine Malassagne are the great-grandchildren of Armand-Raphaël Graser. They took over in 1993 from their father and in just over twenty years, and they have quietly yet confidently transformed AR Lenoble into one of the jewels of the Champagne region.

Winemakers
Anne and Antoine Malassagne

Grape / Blend
40% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir and 30% Pinot Meunier

Origin
Champagne, France

Winemaker's Tasting Notes 
A wine with a perfect balance, combining aromatic richness and delicacy on the palate. It pairs well with tapas, pâté-en-croute, cheese boards and plates of charcuterie.

91 Points - Jancis Robinson
40% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir and 30% Pinot Meunier; L 13 04209 25 10): Pale gold. Fresh pear, tangerine and buttered toast on the mineral-accented nose. Fleshy but focused on the palate, offering juicy citrus and orchard fruit flavors, plus a hint of white pepper that adds back-end lift and cut. Finishes stony and incisive, with a sexy floral nuance coming in late.

90 Points - Wine Enthusiast 
Intense is a good description of this tightly textured and mineral-driven wine. Its fruit is subdued by the steely, tense character, although there are attractive hints of crisp apple and citrus acidity. The bottling is young and will repay several months aging after purchase.

Product size: 750ml