No.1 ‘Reine’ Cuvée Reserve NV
Grape Varietals: 50% Chardonnay, 43% Pinot Noir & 7% Pinot Meunier
Growing Region: Marlborough - New Zealand
Owner / Chef de Cave: Daniel Le Brun, No.1 Family Estate
I first met Daniel in 1991 and even then, his passion was clear, an incredible attention to detail and quality, not yet fully appreciated by the market at the time. Wow, what a journey, and a wonderful sensory treat and experience for all wine lovers. Daniel comes from 12 generations of Champagne vignerons. The first record of a Le Brun planting vines in the region of Champagne was in 1684. The date 1791 is carved into the historic family grape press, the year the Le Brun family first started producing wine in Champagne. Today, Daniel crafts his character filled wines in Marlborough, in the traditional method of his homeland.
The No.1 Reine Cuvée Reserve is a tribute to the family's Mother (or in French Mémère), Reine Vautrelle Le Brun. It is a diligent blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Meunier. Extended ageing and minimal dosage has created a sophisticated ‘Extra Brut’ Reserve NV. The fruit for the Reine Cuvée was predominantly from the 2019 season. With very little intervention, the Cuvée Reine patiently waited on lees for at least 4 years, resulting in a beautifully balanced and complex wine. It was first disgorged in August 2023 and will continue through with the resting cuvée and its ongoing development.
★ The extended lees ageing has created a captivating méthode that is luxurious but with a retained finesse. Complex characters abound, with homemade shortbread, marmalade crumpets, with a note of brioche, alongside grilled white peaches and ripe apricots. The engaging palate is beautifully balanced, with a persistent mousse and gracious heart of natural fruit acidity resulting in a seamless elegance and leaving the taste-buds wanting more.
This No.1 ‘Reine’ Cuvée Reserve NV has 12.5% Alc./vol. An ‘Extra Brut’ Style - with a dosage of 2.8g/L. Chill gently and serve in a voluptuous flute or aromatic shaped wine glass at 8º- 9ºC • *NZ$67.00
CELLARING POTENTIAL: *(Review 25/10/25)
Drinking perfectly this season; plus, it will hold nicely for another 3 - 4 years.
PAIRING SUGGESTIONS:
Perfect wine pairing with crayfish w/ lemon mayonnaise, light-tempura calamari, crab & prawn fettuccini, panko crumbed fish, pumpkin gnocchi, a classic niçoise salad, or a thin slice of a biscuit-base lemon meringue - enjoy.
