A blend of 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay. Sourced from Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, Ambonnay, Verzenay and Verzy for the Pinots, and from Chouilly, Avize, Cramant, and Mesnil-sur-Oger for the Chardonnays. Around 15% of the lots are vinified in oak barrels. The 2007 Nicolas François is a brilliant Champagne with astonishing aromas of dried herbs, spices, white fruits, citrus, pear, peach and camomile, with chalky hints. With air, the bouquet becomes deeper and more complex. Gorgeous in the mouth, with a chiselled texture, laser-like acidity, racy finish, and lots of charm. This Champagne is built for long ageing (10‒25 years). One of the most powerful vintages for this cuvée. Fantastic! Dosage: 6g/L.

The 2007 Brut Cuvée Nicolas François continues to show beautifully, wafting from the glass with scents of sweet orchard fruit, citrus oil, clear honey, white flowers, buttery pastry and warm biscuits. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and incisive, with racy acids, a vibrant core of fruit and a pillowy, elegant profile, it concludes with a long, penetrating finish.

Last time I tasted this I wondered whether the bottle was in perfect shape so I welcome the chance to retaste. 79% grands crus, 21% premiers crus. 60% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay. 15% of the wine was vinified in 15-year-old oak casks. Dosage 6 g/l. Medium-deep gold. Quite an intense nose but there still seems to be a slight lack of freshness on the palate and then a light bitter note. It's definitely better than the bottle I tasted in October 2021 but rather than being too dry, this bottle seems a little loose. There is some density and persistence however. I may be being too critical. (JR)