Since their first release in 2013, Brimoncourt Champagne has been steadily capturing hearts in their domestic market and nearby neighbours. In 2008, Alexandre Cornot set out to reinvigorate a historic, but derelict Champagne brand. Alexandre is a man of many diverse talents and quirky sense of style it seems from his bio. Of course, this was still a gutsy move at the time considering the economic situation.

At the moment, Brimoncourt fits into the negotiant category rather than a ‘grower’ champagne. However, this will change as the house invests in its own vineyards in the future. With this growth, Brimoncourt will also move more of the winemaking into their newly renovated domaine. Just as the abandoned brand was ripe for renovation, so too was the historic printing factory that serves as their new home.

The wines

Currently, there is four non-vintage cuvees in the Brimoncourt stable. The Brut Regence as the first release in 2013, followed closely the following yearby the Rose and a Blanc de Blancs and most recently, an Extra Brut. There are plans afoot in the future to release a vintage, a millesime, as well. Each of the bottles are clad in classically simple labels. However, Alexandre’s artistic past is reflected in each of the unique designs on the gift boxes.

Particularly the quirky artwork for the Brut Regence which sports a giraffe in a military uniform. Upon further investigation, the giraffe was chosen because it is an animal that does not drink alone. It also represents the long reaching vision of the brand with no other animal having the long view afforded to the giraffe thanks to its lengthy neck. The military apparel represents the discipline the winemaking team has in only choosing the best grapes for the cuvees.

The final touch, adding a stamp of permanence to the new Champagne House, is the coat of arms that is Alexandre’s ancestral heraldic symbol adorns each bottle and box. The artistic detail continues with the luxurious touch of the coat of arms on the red background on the inside of the neck foil. This flash evokes thoughts of other luxury brands that use that same glimpse of distinctive red.

Brimoncourt Brut Regence

The Brimoncourt Brut Regence NV (2015) has an elegant profile. The bulk of the grapes comes from the 2010 vintage plus a selection of reserve wines from other vintages. The Brut Regence is a blend of 80% Chardonnay and 20% Pinot Noir. It has been fermented in stainless steel to focus on the pristine fruit. Then the wines have spent four years on lees adding an extra depth and dimension to the blend. Aromas of lightly toasted buttery brioche, apple and citrus is shown to advantage by smoky spices, almond nougat and eggshell.

The fruit tells the mid palate story in this Champagne . The dosage of around 8 g/L of residual sugar just adds roundness and balance. And the creamy bubbles you expect from a fine Champagne. Fresh soft acid drives the length which finishes on a more savoury lime juice and egg shell note making this a good choice as an aperitif to share with friends. Or to enjoy with some light appertizers and seafood.

To read a review of the Brimoncourt Brut Regence from 2022, please click here.

The other wines

The other wines are made in a similar fashion, stainless steel, malolactic fermentation and four years on lees. The Blanc de Blancs has a similar dosage and is produced from only Cote des Blancs Chardonnay most of which comes from Grand Cru vineyards. Similarly, the Extra Brut is made with 20% Chardonnay and 80% Pinot Noir from Grand Cru vineyards: Aÿ, Ambonnay, Bouzy, Cramant, Mesnil and Oger, with a lower dosage of 2 g/L.

The brand aims to be the choice of celebration of everyday, every person’s luxury. You will soon begin to see Brimoncourt on the shelves in fine wine retailers and making its debut on fine wine lists.

See  Brimoncourt.com for more

Updated in November 2021, originally published on 5th August, 2015.