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The “frères“ in question are Pierre and François, who took over control of the domain in the late 2000s. They now number among the vanguard of up-and-comers in the region, and the wines are irresistibly expressive. L’Instantanée - meaning ‘snapshot’ - attempts to capture the character of its vintage. This ‘snapshot’ of 2014 is stunning: it presents a decidedly luxurious style, richly textured and more opulent than the '10 which we were so taken with. These wines remain such a happy discovery for us... - Jason
The Huré brothers are making incredibly assured, rich and inviting Champagnes. Based in Ludes, in the Montagne de Reims, their production is reflective of their audacious willingness to experiment. Along with 3 single-vineyard single-varietal Champagnes they produce a fantastic solera as well as an old vine cuvée.
Today we are focused on their vignette of a single year, usually rendered with the classic trio of Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir. Here, the 2014 is a a Blanc de Noirs, with 80% Pinot Noir and 20% Pinot Meunier. The Instantanée is aged for 7+ years on its lees and sees a relatively low dosage. The wine is habitually hedonistic, round and complex yet without lacking a rigorously mineral backbone.
The 2014 Instantanée is already terrifically expressive and melds small red fruits with brioche and toasted almonds. The match of fruit intensity with autolytic elements is perfect and there's a nice touch of spice. It is rich in the palate yet there is a delightfully saline undercurrent that carries through to the finish. If you are unfamiliar with the complex and resonant Champagnes coming from Huré Frères, this makes an excellent jumping off point.
Cheers,
- Spencer
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