Nicolas Feuillatte Champagne Brut Palme d'Or 2006

Nicolas Feuillatte Champagne Brut Palme d'Or 2006

Introduction

The Palme d’Or is the prestigious cuvée from the Nicolas Feuillatte champagne house. It is produced exclusively in exceptional vintages and embodies the house’s expertise and philosophy in their purest form. The 2006 vintage is regarded as one of the three great vintages of the decade and provides an exceptional foundation for this top-tier cuvée.

The winery: Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte

Nicolas Feuillatte is a cooperative based in Chouilly in Champagne. Founded in 1972, the company has, in the space of a few decades, becomeFrance’s best-selling champagne brand and the third largest worldwide.

The cooperative brings together over 5,000 independent winegrowers who cultivate vineyards throughout the Champagne region. The catchment area includes grapes from 13 of the 17 Grand Cru communes and 33 of the 42 Premier Cru communes in Champagne. This broad base enables the house to draw on an exceptionally diverse and high-quality selection of grapes.

The 2006 vintage

The 2006 vintage is considered one of the most significant of the 2000s. Following a cold, dry winter and a productive spring with abundant flowering, there was a hot, dry July and a wet August, which initially caused concern amongst the winegrowers. The harvest began on 9 September 2006 under warm, sunny conditions, which allowed the grapes to ripen to perfection. The grapes had a high sugar content and comparatively low acidity – ideal conditions for a powerful, harmonious Champagne.

Blend and ageing

The Palme d’Or 2006 is a cuvée made from equal partsPinot Noir and Chardonnay:

• Pinot Noir (50 per cent) – exclusively from Grand Cru vineyards in the Montagne de Reims (Verzy, Verzenay, Ambonnay, Bouzy and Aÿ)

• Chardonnay (50 per cent) – from Grand Cru vineyards in the Côte des Blancs (Chouilly, Cramant, Avize, Oger and Le Mesnil-sur-Oger) and from Montgueux

The cuvée was aged foreight years in the house’s cellars before being released onto the market. This long ageing on the lees gives the champagne its exceptional complexity and finesse.

Tasting notes

Appearance

A pale golden colour with afine, extremely elegant mousse and delicate, persistent bubbles.

Nose

The bouquet is rich and multi-layered. The dominant notes are:

• Fruity notes: yellow tropical fruit, banana, ripe pear, peach, mirabelle plum, candied kumquat, redcurrant

• Floral and sweet accents: white blossoms, blossom honey, brioche

• Spicy and nutty nuances: hazelnut, toasted almonds, subtle hints of spice

Palate

On the palate, the champagne is round, creamy and full-bodied. The acidity is well integrated, and the fruit sweetness is present. The texture is dense and supple. There are notes of yellow apple, stone fruit and a subtle minerality that characterises the long finish. The 2006 vintage is powerful, harmonious and remarkably balanced, with lovely volume on the palate.

Awards and ratings

The Nicolas Feuillatte Palme d’Or 2006 has received outstanding ratings from renowned wine critics:

In addition, the 2015 vintage was awarded silver medals at the Decanter World Wine Awards and the International Wine & Spirit Competition.

Robert Parker once described the Palme d’Or collection as “the most seductive and sensual champagne on the market”.

Price and availability

Prices for the 2006 vintage vary depending on the retailer and region:

Note: Prices are subject to change and may vary depending on the retailer and region.

Serving recommendation

The Palme d’Or 2006 is a champagne for special occasions and fine dining.

Ideal serving temperature: 8–10 °C

Recommended food pairings:

• Seafood and lobster

• White truffle risotto

• Delicate starters and salads

• As an elegant aperitif

Drinking window: The champagne is currently at its peak. Experts recommend enjoying it until around 2026, whilst other sources see even greater ageing potential until 2035. The cuvée has benefited from further bottle ageing beyond 2018.

Conclusion

The Nicolas Feuillatte Palme d’Or 2006 is an exceptional vintage champagne that perfectly captures the quality of the outstanding 2006 vintage. With its balanced cuvée of Grand Cru Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, eight years’ cellaring and excellent critical acclaim, it ranks among the house’s most notable prestige cuvées. For lovers of mature, complex champagnes with a powerful structure and elegant finesse, this wine is an excellent choice.