No.1 Family Estate: 22 November 2023.
I have been enjoying winemaker Daniel Le Brun’s Méthode Traditionnelle wines for over 30 years. 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. The whole of the local wine industry has benefited.
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.
In late October of this year - coinciding with Global Champagne Day, the Le Brun family at their No.1 Family Estate Winery in Marlborough, launched a special tribute and addition to their outstanding range: The ‘Reine’ Cuvée Reserve NV - a tribute to the family’s mother and mémère, Reine Vautrelle Le Brun. The floral pattern on the Reine Cuvée label was inspired by a precious heirloom ring handed down to her grand-daughter, Virginie Le Brun.
*(The following wines are available across the country & online, and most importantly are ready to sip, savour and share this festive season).
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
5 Stars ★★★★★
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 4 years, resulting in a beautifully balanced and complex wine.
• 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.
• Chill gently & serve between 8°- 9°C : 12.5% Alc. - Extra Brut, R.S. 2.8g/L : Cellar 4 - 5 years : *NZ$65.99
No.1 Cuvée NV
Grape Varietals: 99% Chardonnay, 1% Pinot Noir
Growing Region: Marlborough - New Zealand
Owner / Chef de Cave: Daniel Le Brun, No.1 Family Estate
5 Stars ★★★★★
This Cuvée Brut NV was the first wine produced by No.1 Family Estate. As with classic Blanc de Blancs styles méthode this wine was given a respected amount of time of lees ageing to encourage a broad character across the palate. The wine displays a textural finesse and real charm and has a quality well above its price-point.
• This Chardonnay 'Blanc de Blancs' was aged on lees for around 18 months. The wine has a poised finesse and charm, with an enticing bouquet of fresh citrus fruits, white peaches and subtle pastry notes. A medium sized mousse with a delicate texture that has a beguiling confidence from its time of lees, resulting in a depth of character that carries through onto a balanced finish.
• Chill gently & serve between 8°- 9°C : 12.5% Alc. - Brut Style, R.S. 6.4g/L : Cellar 3 - 4 years : *NZ$39.99
No.1 Rosé NV
Grape Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir
Growing Region: Marlborough - New Zealand
Owner / Chef de Cave: Daniel Le Brun, No.1 Family Estate
5 Stars ★★★★★
An extremely well-crafted Rosé style méthode, made from 100% Pinot Noir and showcasing the ideal climate that Marlborough has, to produce desired flavours. A fresh, youthful expression with a generous collection small-to-medium sized bubbles, producing a silky mousse on the palate and a most enjoyable and refreshing finish.
• This wine has a hypnotic aroma expressing a bouquet of wild flowers, red cherries, raspberries, strawberries along with a subtle note of a freshly baked apple pastry treat. The 2 years on lees has given this wine a good footprint across the palate. But not losing any of its explosive summer fruit freshness that is delivered to all your senses by the generous mousse, and balanced kiss of acidity producing a silky texture on a persistent finish.
• Chill gently & serve between 8°- 9°C : 12.5% Alc. - Brut Style, R.S. 8.5g/L : Cellar 3 - 5 years : *NZ$49.99
No.1 ‘Reserve’ NV
Grape Varietals: 98% Chardonnay, 2% Pinot Noir
Growing Region: Marlborough - New Zealand
Owner / Chef de Cave: Daniel Le Brun, No.1 Family Estate
5 Stars ★★★★★
Each year, a limited number of bottles of their No.1 Cuvée is set aside for longer ageing and released after several years (on this occasion 7+ years) giving it the title ‘Reserve’. The extended contact and lees ageing has resulted in added richness with complex to the wine, along with Daniel’s signature of balance, authentic character and a lengthy finish.
• An inviting bouquet of baked apple tart, grilled peaches, citrus curd and a mille-feuille pastry note. The palate is generous and engaging, proudly showcasing those baked apples, peach nuances and infused with a deft mineral seam, highlighted by a lemon curd, pastry characters, deft infusion of spice and a hint of brioche. The multi-layers of flavours seamless glide across your palate on a continuous fine bead. Balanced by natural fruit acidity providing a vibrancy to the wine’s generous complexity and stylish finish.
• Chill gently & serve between 8°- 10°C : 12.5% Alc. - Extra Brut, R.S. 5g/L : Cellar 7 - 8 years : *NZ$96.99
*(No.1 Family Estate availability & pricing will vary by outlet & country)