Champagne Fleury
“We must keep the earth healthy. The structure of the soil provides the essence of the terroir.”
—Jean-Sébastien Fleury
“Fleury is a gem”
— Antonio Galloni
For over a century, one generation of the Fleury family has followed the in the footsteps of the prior on the family estate. They all have one thing in common: Innovation.
1901: Invasion of the phylloxera louse in Champagne. Emile Fleury was the first to plant grafted Pinot Noir vines in the region.
1929: Robert Fleury made the unusual decision to start bottling his own wines instead of selling to the big houses.
1970: Jean-Pierre Fleury begins using compost and mechanical tilling.
1989: Jean-Pierre becomes the first grower in Champagne to convert his vineyards to biodynamic farming. By 1992 all of the vineyards (15 hectares) were converted.
Founded in 1895, Fleury continues to lead the growing Côte des Bars region in the south of Champagne. The wines are fermented in oak, riddled by hand and slowly matured under cork, an approach that, paired with the natural methods in the vineyard, pays off in wines that retain firmness and freshness as they age. Their wines are absolutely electrifying, and their vintage bottlings are perhaps the best values in all of Champagne.
Fleur de L’Europe Brut NV
85% Pinot Noir, 15% Chardonnay
Comprised of 2001 and 2002 harvests, 40% and 60% respectively.
25,000 bottle production.
91 points Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar, 90 Wine Spectator
Pale peach skincolor. Nutty, mature aromas ofpoached pear, brown sugar, herbs and a hint of sherry. Fleshy and expansive but dry-edged,with smoky orchard fruit and hazelnut flavors and a late note of bitterlemon. Complex, smoky and nicelypersistent, leaving notes of honey, singed orange and peach pit behind. This would be superb with a butteryseafood or mushroom dish.
— Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar, December 2010, 91 points
Cepages Blanc 2004
100% Chardonnay
500 cases produced.
92+ Robert Parker, 92 Wine Spectator, 92 Stephen Tanzer
Fleury’s 2004 Brut Cepages Blancs is an intriguing wine laced with exotic passion fruit, citrus, minerals and flowers, all of which come together in a bracing, focused style. This shows gorgeous complexity, textural finesse and a brilliant, crystalline finish. The Cepages Blancs can be enjoyed today, although it requires quite a bit of air for its inner perfume to emerge. Alternatively, it can be cellared for another decade or so. This beautiful, harmonious Champagne from Fleury is a gem.
— Antonio Galloni, The Wine Advocate, Dec 2010, 92+ points
Brut 1996
80% Pinot Noir, 20% Chardonnay
Less than 400 cases produced.
95 Wine Spectator, 91 Wine & Spirits Magazine
A beautiful, layered Champagne, with a burly backbone of acidity framing the smoke, sea salt, cassis, roast almond, honey and candied lemon peel flavors. Rich and mouthwatering, but with a vitality that grabs your attention. The finish is long and lingering. Drink now through 2026. 100 cases imported.
— Wine Spectator Insider, Dec 31 2010, 95 points
1995 Extra Brut
80% Pinot Noir, 20% Chardonnay
600 cases produced.
95 Wine & Spirits, 93 Wine Spectator, 93 Stephen Tanzer
Fresh acidity finds fine integration in this gracefully aging Champagne, supporting creamy flavors of buttered brioche and toasted almond, with a touch of truffle and a pretty dried floral note. Elegant, with refined texture and a lingering, nut-tinged finish. Drink now through 2020. 150 cases imported.
— Wine Spectator, June 15 2011, 93 ponts
Also available in very limited quantities:
Cepages Blanc Extra Brut 1990, Siecle d’Or Brut 1988 in Magnum