"One of Champagne's brightest young talents" -William Kelley, The Wine Advocate
In 2019, I named Renoir's 2015 Les Epinettes my wine of the year. Today, I'm happy to follow up with the impressive 2017 Epinettes.
The 2017 Les Epinettes shows incredible finesse and mineral grip. Made from Pinot Noir planted in 1971 from the Grand Cru village of Verzy, the 2017 has a radiant purity with hints of dark berry fruit and explosive floral notes.
 |
Verzy, in the northeast corner of the Montagne de Reims, is one of the most fascinating and diverse terroirs in the region. Unlike the south-facing villages of Ambonnay or Bouzy that produce powerful, bold-fruited wines, Verzy, which faces northeast, produces wines of elegance, clarity, and energy. They are regal wines that are too often blended with the grapes of neighboring villages. I was thrilled to come across this exceptional example of Verzy’s unique terroir.
The warm 2017 vintage turned out to be a wonderful compliment to Verzy’s north-facing Les Epinettes. The wine has a crystal-clear terroir imprint. There's a riveting tension and beautiful impression of completeness.
Adrien Renoir, a 4th generation vigneron, officially took over his family’s estate in 2015, although he spent several years before that working alongside his father. He has made significant improvements in both the vineyards and the winery by transitioning to organic and biodynamic farming and taking a “hands-off” approach in the cellar. Today, the estate’s traditional cuvees are bottled under Adrien’s father’s name, Vincent Renoir, while Adrien’s single-vineyard bottlings bear his own name.
Tasting through Adrien Renoir's lineup recently, it became very clear how skilled he is and the amazing wines that the estate is releasing. To echo William Kelley, he's one of Champagne's top young talents.
To order, email offers@crushwineco.com or call the store at (212) 980-9463.
Ian McFadden
Director, Fine & Rare
Crush Wine & Spirits
