Blanc de Noirs 2014 Cuvée Louis Eugène

The Cuvée Louis Eugène Blanc de Noirs 2014 from Pannier is a pure Pinot Noir. The grapes are dark, the wine is pale, and that is exactly where its appeal lies: it has power without seeming heavy. Three years of ageing in the cellar have shaped it.

It smells of hazelnuts, lemon zest and white fruit. On the palate it is fleshy and well structured, and its aromatic depth carries it far beyond the aperitif. You can serve it through an entire menu, from starter to cheese. Foie gras with plums or a mushroom risotto are particularly good matches. Serve it slightly less cold than a light brut, at 10 to 12 °C, in a white wine glass with a wide bowl. That brings out the nuttiness and structure better.