Bereche et Fils Brut Reserve Champagne

Vincent and Raphaël work with a range of Champagne terroirs, mostly in the north of the region near Reims. The quality starts with thoughtful viticulture and low yields from a high percentage of old vines many planted in the 1960s and 1970s. Since the brothers took over the operation from their father in 2004, all chemical herbicide use was stopped and returned to labour intensive manual cultivation of their vines. In the cellar they employ long, natural fermentations and extended aging on lees. Parcels are vinified separately, and three-quarters of the production spends time in 350-litre barrels, while the reserve wines are held in demi-muids of 600 litres. Unusually, bottle aging is mostly under cork for the second fermentation (tirer à liege). The brothers believe this allows slightly more oxygen to get to the wine, resulting in Champagnes with finer bubbles and seamless texture. None of the wines go through malolactic fermentation. Bottling occurs without filtration and disgorgement is still done entirely by hand.

Please note: Disgorgement dates can vary. Please contact the store if you would like to check which disgorgement is currently available.

Other Reviews....
The NV Brut Réserve is the foundational wine at Bérêche, and the latest release is based on the 2022 vintage, incorporating a 40% perpetual reserve component, uniting the freshness of the northern slopes and the maturity of the hot, dry vintage. Fruit for this wine comes from vineyard sites across the Montagne de Reims and the Vallée de Marne, and the Champagne was disgorged in October 2024 with six grams per liter dosage. Bursting from the glass with aromas of nectarine, orange zest and brioche, it's medium- to full-bodied and ample, with considerable density, underpinned by racy acidity and concluding with a chalky finish. The Brut Réserve has seen the most refinements in recent years as it no longer incorporates tailles and now features Chardonnay from Trépail; technically, this means that the pH is lower and the acidity is higher. It’s one of the most reliable entry-level NV bottlings on the market.
92 points
Kristaps Karklins - Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate

A champagne of decadent abundance from great growers Vincent and Raphael Bérêche. Orange zest, apple strudel and its warm spices, some wild flowers and grilled nuts. It’s a champagne that leans into a more vinous style, rich and full through the mid-palate but still managing to seamlessly transition through to a fine, fresh and linear finish.
96 points
Nick Ryan - Weekend Australian 2024