Nathalie Falmet : Le Val Cornet 2021

Characteristics and tasting notes of Nathalie Falmet's Val Cornet 2021

Tasting

Appearance
This cuvée reveals a slightly pinkish hue that is entirely natural. This delicate coloration comes from the dark, ripe skins of the Pinot Noir, which subtly tinted the must during pressing, without any oenological intervention or addition.

Nose
Initially discreet and restrained, the bouquet gradually opens up to vegetal notes evoking a sun-drenched shrub and fresh grass, underlined by delicate hints of orange blossom. It then reveals a fine palette of red fruits, releasing indulgent aromas of pink grapefruit, redcurrant and grenadine.

Palate
Both powerful and elegant, the palate proves particularly expressive, complex and vinous. Its assertive structure makes it a true gastronomic Champagne, made for the table.

Food and wine pairings
Thanks to its vinosity and complexity, this gastronomic wine pairs wonderfully with refined seafood, such as sea urchins, shellfish or finely prepared fish. It also enhances delicate meats, accompanying perfectly, for example, a calf's liver with lingonberries.

Serving and cellaring
Bottled in a particularly heavy bottle that promotes slow and harmonious evolution in the cellar, this Val Cornet 2021 boasts excellent ageing potential. It can be kept and enjoyed until at least 2029.

Nathalie Falmet crafts a precise and balanced Champagne

The estate
Officially founded on 19 May 2009, the Nathalie Falmet estate is run by Nathalie Falmet herself, a trained oenologist and chemist. Located in the Côte des Bar, at the southernmost tip of the Champagne region, this confidential estate covers just 3.5 hectares. The current owner cultivates her vines with an artisanal and scientific approach, certified High Environmental Value (HVE) since 2021. A true research-minded spirit, she stands out for her precise plot-by-plot vinifications and her experimentations, creating wines with a strong and authentic identity.

The vineyard
The grapes come exclusively from the Val Cornet lieu-dit, located in the commune of Rouvres-les-Vignes in Champagne. This plot, planted around fifty years ago, lies on a singular geological terroir dating from the Kimmeridgian. The clay-limestone soils, rich in marl and marine fossils, give the berries a remarkable minerality. Work in the vineyard is part of an environmentally respectful approach, with entirely manual harvesting followed by meticulous sorting.

Winemaking and ageing
The crafting of this Val Cornet 2021 is characterised by a minimally interventionist approach in order to preserve the pure expression of the terroir. After pressing, no oenological corrective product is added. Vinification takes place mainly in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, complemented by a stay in 350-litre oak barrels, as well as a small proportion vinified in dolium. To guarantee the authenticity of the wine, the estate practises neither fining nor filtration before bottling.

Grape varieties
This blend is composed of 50% Pinot Noir and 50% Pinot Meunier.