Thanks to Donny for sourcing this rare find!        Photo by Xiao P

Camille Saves 'Cuvee Anaïs Jolie Coeur' 2004 Brut Champagne (750ml)

Monocru: Grand Cru Bouzy

Composition: 90% Pinot Noir, 10% Chardonnay - vine age over 35 years

Aged in oak

Very limited quantity (only around 1,000 bottles per vintage)

I first heard of this new gem from www.champagnewarrior.com  

Hervé Savès, the fourth generation owner & winemaker to run the fine grower champagne estate of Savès in Grand Cru Bouzy, created this new prestige cuvee in honor of his great-grandmother, who's the co-founder of the domaine. It's the first trial for Hervé to age all the vins clairs of a blend in oak. And the current release is just the inaugural vintage of 2004!

The temptation, to follow such new star right from the debut vintage, means a great deal for any serious lover of Champagne. Not to mention the challenge of such scarce availability! So my special thanks go to Donny for sourcing and sharing this rare find.

Tasted in Dec., 2011 

Served upon popping the cork.

Surprisingly pale robe (it's hard to believe this one to have been aged entirely in oak and has 90% Pinot Noir in the blend! So, the only clue could be the excellent acidity as the taste indeed reveals).

Very lively mousse.

Currently there is a creamy, oily cocoon, wrapping up the aromas. Clearly a result of aeration in the wood. But one can still detect the charming traces underneath: lemon, red berry, sweet pastry...

The entry is all dense, palate-staining fruit of lemon, mandarine and red berries. But what really surprises us all is how lively and lifted it feels on the mid palate, like a ballerina dancing on her toes. Such wonderful poise is definitely attributable to the excellent acidity of 2004.

Just like the nose, the palate is also wrapped in a creamy, oily texture thanks to the ageing in oak. But with time, the linear, incisive minerality gradually penetrates the oily gown...                               

An exciting new star to be laid down in the cellar for confident ageing to bring out more layered complexities...And keep your radar on for future releases!