We're excited to offer this 2015 Blanc de Noirs, the latest release from Thibaut-Janisson, Claude Thibaut's Virginia based partnership with the Janisson Champagne house. The wine is a blend of 60% Ox Eye Vineyards Pinot Noir from the Shenandoah Valley and 40% Fingers Lakes Pinot Noir, fermented in tank and aged 2 years on the yeast before release. Finished with 8g/l dosage, this wine shows tangy, red winter fruits on the nose with cranberry, apple and soft hints of spice. The wine's medium body, bright acid and fine bead will complement a wide variety of rich seafood, cheese and pastry dishes while its generous mouthfeel offers a style that drinks well without food as well. Enjoy with friends, family and all the gifts of the season. Cheers!
In Claude's words:
It is very difficult to grow or source great Pinot Noir in Virginia. During one of my visits to the Finger Lakes (Seneca Lake), I tasted sparkling wines made by Hermann Wiemer and Dr. Konstantin Frank. I was very impressed by the quality, especially the red grape based blend. In 2009, I met a young grower who was delivering his grapes to Herman Wiemer, and we talked about my sparkling wine project. He happened to be one of the best growers in Seneca Lake, and I was grateful to convince him to sell some of his fruit. From 2010 to 2013, I only bought Chardonnay from him, then in 2014 and 2015, I bought both Champagne varieties: Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. 2015 was a stellar vintage in the Finger Lakes and I thought the Pinot Noir was particularly outstanding. That's when I decided to make a vintage dated Blanc de Noirs. At the same time, I gained access to some Pinot Noir from the Shenandoah Valley: Ox Eye, the first vinifera vineyard in Augusta County. The goal was to make the best possible blend from the two states, an "East Coast Blend". I only made 200 cases of the 2015 Blanc de Noirs and I have not made it since.
