No 1 Family NZ Wines

Number One in Sparklers

Marlborough’s No 1 Family Estate

French-born Champagne-maker Daniel Le Brun launched his wholly family-owned Méthode Traditionelle producing business back in July 1999, using the processes perfected by his Champagne-making family in France over 12 generations. The Marlborough winery has been set up with state-of-the-art processing equipment, imported from the Champagne region. The company is owned by Adele and Daniel Le Brun and their two children Virginie and Remy. And the winery is dedicated solely to the production of Méthode Traditionelle wines. Their aim is to produce Champagne method wines in NZ to rival some of the best from France. I would agree that they have done just that! Here is a sample of the Le Brun portfolio of exceptional wines.

No 1 Family Estate Assemblé Non-Vintage $33
Pale apricot blush colour, fine beaded bubbles.  A traditional blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir (60/40) with a minimum 18 months lees aging (i.e. left on yeast residue). A good whiff of carbonic acid (CO2) and a hint of yeasty brioche on the nose. Mouth filling and rich flavours of pear, nougat, Mum’s apple pie and stone fruit with a dry mineral tangy finish.

No 1 Family Estate Cuvee $NZ36
Pale gold and made from 100% Chardonnay grapes. Delicate citrus, yeast and floral aromas. Spent 2 years on yeast lees. Tastes rich and creamy with flavours of blanched almond, nectarine, and a hint of mandarin. Lengthy palate with a dry but not bone-dry finish.

No 1 Family Estate Rosé Non-Vintage $NZ45

Made from 100% Pinot Noir, this is a salmon pink bubbly with aromas of red apple skin, brioche and marzipan. In the mouth, it has a rich and complex palate of cherry/almond, a hint of strawberry and a tangy yeasty mid-palate with a dry, mineral finish.

No 1 Family Estate Cuvee Virginie Non-Vintage $NZ85
Pale gold in the glass, this is an 80/20 blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
The grapes were harvested early-mid March 2009. Dedicated to Daniel’s daughter Virginie. It has a lively frothy mousse and is suitably feminine – elegant and delicate. It is bone dry and has a hint of yeasty croissant, with nudges of blanched almond and citrus and a lengthy palate

For local availability – definitely Glengarry, or I highly recommend searching http://www.wine-searcher.com/

Phil Parker hosts the BEST NZWINE TOURS EVER !!!!