"Flat Out Terrific"
Lilbert Blanc de Blancs Perle NV
Thriving on Understatement and Finesse
"The only problem with these wines is finding them, as the tiny production is eagerly snapped up upon release by a near-cult following" - Peter Liem
Everything produced at Lilbert's 3.5ha estate is in short supply, but their Perle is a very extreme example. Production is somewhere around 165 cases per release - a mere drop in Champagne terms.
Availability is just painful - Perle is one of the most fascinatingly mineral, subtle and elegant Blanc de Blancs around.
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A couple of years back we landed a few cases of Lilbert's Perle. It was just beautiful Champagne, the staff got behind it and it disappeared very quickly. We've been on the hunt ever since.
Lilbert's Perle is sourced from old vines from their Grand Cru vineyards (Cramant, Chouilly and Oiry) and bottled with lower pressure. The old vines reveal themselves in the wine's mineral depth and intensity.
Perle is one of the least "showy" Champagnes that I know. For all its gripping mineral and serious vinosity, this is a Champagne that thrives on understatement and finesse. Its quiet voice, its delicacy that belies its persistence, complexity and overall breeding is a big part of what makes Perle so compelling.
Lilbert's Perle delivers the energy and the precisely detailed chalky minerality that makes Côte des Blancs some of the most captivating Chardonnays around. Lilbert's Perle excels in terms of harmony, complexity and elegance.
There are plenty of glowing reviews/tasting notes out there on Lilbert's Perle, but Burghound's note hits the nail on the head: "This understated and ultra-pure effort is flat out terrific combining power and finesse."
The value here, not to mention the food friendliness and sheer quality and fascination, shouldn't be missed. Quantities are very limited and allocations are likely.
To order, please email us at offers@crushwineco.com or call the store at (212) 980-9463.
Joe Salamone
Wine Buyer
Crush Wine & Spirits
Burghound: :"This gorgeous effort begins with a notably restrained nose that only reluctantly offers up shy scents of lemon rind, green apple and cool pear. The refreshing and equally cool flavors are strikingly refined and energetic with an exceptionally fine bead to the supporting mousse, all wrapped in wonderfully authoritative, balanced and focused finish that lasts and lasts. This understated and ultra-pure effort is flat out terrific combining power and finesse. This could easily be enjoyed now but a few more years of bottle age will only add to the depth."