Tasting | Benoit Déhu Initiation

Benoit Déhu, a highly regarded RM by many sommeliers and wine connoisseurs, he is the eighth generation vigneron of the family champagne house which was founded in 1787.

Having trained in Bollinger, Benoit carried his passion of Meunier back home and subsequently dedicated 1.7 hectares of vineyard to cultivate only Meunier, farmed biodynamically. The single parcel, single vintage and single variety practice in La rue des Noyers (hazelnut trees) in Marne no-doubt contributes to the most distinctive champagne that thoroughly reflects the terroirs.

Initiation V20

Initiation is a blend of Meunier from La rue des Noyers and Pinot Noir from a small parcel dominated by clay and and sand at the bottom of the hill. The cuvèe, therefore, curate a complex wine with high minerality.

The deeper colour normally reflects an older champagne, aka being sur-lies aged for at least 48 months. However, in the case of V20, the medium gold colour is a result of their biodynamic and unfiltered practice.

The initial nose is farmyard and clay like a delicious aged Pinot, flinty with poached pears and baked apples. There is a broader flavours on the palate, it is the creamy marzipan, honeycomb nuanced with yeasty biscuit, slightly oaked .

Although it was not mentioned, I do believe there is slight MLF, hence the roundness of the gorgeous champagne. To keep things simple, I paired it with Kristal caviar with a dash of crème fraîche.

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