Champagne Pouillon 2015 Les Blanchiens 1er Cru 750ml

The 2015 Brut Nature Les Blanchiens is a 50/50 blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay picked in the eponymous mid-slope parcel in Mareuil-sur-Aÿ. It was aged for 12 months in oak before tirage, then aged for five years in bottle. A deep golden color moves on to a nose that opens with an initial tone of white lilies, followed by melted butter suffused with white pepper. Creamy mousse on the palate accentuates the essential saltiness and highlights the rye crumb and fresh brioche autolysis. This is rich and generous, from ripe and expressive grapes, from oak vinification but also from 2015. The salty verve in the background, however, provides ample balance and freshness. A rounded, gastronomic Champagne with much expression and a lasting, cleansing echo. Zero dosage.

Score: 93 points -- Antonio Galloni, Vinous, 2023