Champagne Barnaut has been with us for over 20 years, which speaks volumes. Established in 1874, and still run by the same family, they are producing characterful, delicious Champagne, which continues to delight.
One of the secrets to Barnaut’s success is their prime location in the Grand Cru village of Bouzy, known for its particularly fine Pinot Noir. It’s that Pinot (two-thirds of the final blend) that helps give the Grande Réserve its characteristic structure and richness. The other key is long lees-ageing. The Grande Réserve sits on its lees for six years, far longer than that legal minimum of 15 months for a non-vintage Champagne.
Philippe and Guillaume (pictured above), the fifth and sixth generations in charge, work sustainably in the vineyards, employing organic composts, ploughing between rows and respecting nature. As Philippe once told us, ‘My vineyards may not look pristine, but that’s because they’re not drenched in herbicides’.
The resulting wine has come out on top in more than one blind tasting against Grand Marques.
BARNAUT Grande Réserve Brut Grand Cru Bouzy Champagne NV
France, Champagne
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir 12.5%
“95% Bouzy grand cru with a bit of Ambonnay. This is the 150th anniversary of the family making this wine.
Sharp and full of cooking apples but within a lovely ribbon wrap of toffee apple. Smoked lemon. I’d love this with chicken sosatie or gyros. A bit blunt and robust but a good wine for bold food.”
Drinking range: 2024 – 2029
16 | Tamlyn Currin, JancisRobinson
£39.95 single bottle
£37.50 in a full or mixed case of 6
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Read more about the Champagne market in Charles Lea’s post:
‘Champagne: the jigsaw of the market‘.