Champagne Mouzon Leroux L'exaltant Ratafia de Saignée 500ml

Champagne Mouzon Leroux L'Exaltant Ratafia de Saignée is fortified unfermented Pinot Noir juice, aged in barrel without topping up.

Ratafia is the traditional aperitif of Champagne: grape juice arrested with grape spirit before fermentation can begin, so it keeps its natural sweetness rather than gaining any from added sugar. Sébastien Mouzon makes his from the press juice of L'Incandescent, meaning Grand Cru Verzy Pinot Noir bunches that have had two days of skin contact before fortification. There is no fermentation, no added sugar, no fining and no filtration. The ratafia then spends at least twenty months in barrels that are deliberately left un-topped, so it oxidises slowly and develops a character closer to tawny Port than to fresh grape juice. That oxidative handling also means an open bottle holds up for weeks. This bottling comes from the 2020 harvest and is sold in 500ml format.

Serve just under 10°C or over ice, as an aperitif or with almond tart, blue cheese or dark chocolate.

*Every effort is made to ensure the current vintage is accurate; however, variations can occur. If you are after a specific vintage, please contact us prior to ordering.