Champagne Veuve Fourny ‘Cuvee R’ Extra Brut, Vertus NV
Champagne Veuve Fourny ‘Cuvee R’ Extra Brut, Vertus NV
“Lovely rich biscuit aroma, apple and herbal tea fruit. Rounded, long, with a lovely dairy character on the mid palate,” writes Richard Hemming on Jancis Robinson.com, awarding it the highest score of any non-vintage Champagne and equalling or outperforming the likes of Krug 2003, Dom Ruinart Blanc de Blancs 2004, Pol Roger Blanc de Blancs 2004, Veuve Clicquot 2004 and Louis Roederer 2006. A beautifully presented Chardonnay-dominant Champagne, that was vinified in small oak barrels, which adds textural richness to this opulent bottle of decadence. 12% alc. Drink now-2030.
Jancis Robinson MW: “100% Chardonnay from old vines, first-pressed must, vinified in wood, 18 months on lees in cask. No filtration, 4 years in bottle. Made 50/50 from two vintages, 2011 and 2012. Dosage 3 g/l. The R is Roger, the Fourny brothers’ father. Pale greenish straw. Dense and fresh with real class and interest. Linseed oil and excellent balance. Dry, appetising finish.“ 16.5 points
The Wine Advocate: “This is a beautifully precise, vibrant Champagne that emerges with attractive layers of perfumed, expressive fruit wrapped around a rich, creamy finish. The presence of red grapes and oak give the wine a level of depth and richness that deftly balances the intense minerality of Vertus and the house style.” 93 points
Decanter Magazine: "Expressive, citrussy, fresh and clean with mirabelle, greengage and bergamot. On the palate there is plenty of flesh, with a silky chocolate character. Maturing gracefully with great complexity."
Decanter Magazine Panel Tasting:
Michael Edwards: "A tribute to the late father of the two Fourny brothers. Pure Vertus (sourced mainly from Monts Ferres), this is partly fermented in oak, in Papa's style. Shows a powerful personality, yet has lift and a racy finesse." 17.5/20 points, Highly Recommended
Customer comments:
"I tried the R BV already and very much enjoyed it. Overall the Veuve Fournys are tremendous and very good value." - Mr M.S.
”The champagne was delicious (and such beautiful bottles!)” - Mr. B.T.
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“The Brut Premier Cru is flat-out delicious. That's pretty much all there is to it.” - The Wine Advocate
Decanter Magazine picked this out as one their top Champagnes to try, saying: “From the village of Vertus, this spends three years on its lees with 20% reserve wine, and is all white flowers and natural ripeness. The low 6 g/l dosage brings a fine dry finish.” We think there’s a wonderful vibrancy and a daring nakedness to the fruit that awakens your tastebuds in the most appetising way, making it the perfect aperitif Champagne. Not a rich style, but very perky and refreshing without being shrill thanks to the ripe and beautifully balanced fruit and the judicious use of barrel-ageing. 12%. Drink now-2030.
Press reviews:
The Financial Times (Jancis Robinson MW):“50-year-old vines, a blend of about 65% 2020 with reserve wines from the previous three vintages. Delicate despite the oak influence. A very interesting combo! And a very well-judged blend. Gently rather than aggressively sparkling. Drink now-2030.”
Vinous: “The NV Extra Brut Nature Blanc de Blancs Premier Cru bristles with tension and energy. Lemon peel, crushed rocks, white pepper and jasmine lend striking brightness to this ethereal yet focused Blanc de Blancs. Bright saline notes punctuate the finish in style. The Extra Brut approach works so well in this bottling. Drink now-2028.” 93 points
The Wine Advocate: “The NV Extra Brut Premier Cru sizzles with tension. Lemon confit, green pear and exotic floral notes open first, followed by hints of tropical fruit that add striking inner perfume. Bright saline notes extend the finish effortlessly. The Brut Premier Cru is flat-out delicious. That's pretty much all there is to it. Drink now-2028.” 92 points
Decanter Magazine: “This cuvee is a great introduction to this small family house that specialises in Chardonnay. This wine offers richness but also subtle, white floral notes. It spent three years on its lees and was bottled with very low dosage. Very vinous with a nice mouthfeel. Great Price!” 17.75/20
Xavier Rousset MS "Veuve Fourny's Champagne often come out with high marks when I taste them blind. Under the radar for most of us, but worth highlighting and of course tasting."
Tyson Stelzer, The Champagne Guide: “Fourny’s mandate of purity and precision shimmers in lemon zest, grapefruit pith, fresh pear, crunchy white peach and granny smith apple of soap-powder brightness. Pristine fruit expression, wonderful concentration and refinement are upheld at every moment, propelled by the texture and depth of barrel-aged reserves, adding hints of roast nuts and a suggestion of anise. A long, soft, salty mineral finish speaks clearly of the terroir of Vertus.” 94 points
Customer Comments:
“Exceptionally good!" - Mr R.H.
“We tried the Champagne last night - perfect!" - Mr. J. B.
"Tried the V Fourny BdB - loved it! As did my wife." - Mr. G.C.
”I’m not usually a big fan of champagne as I find after the second glass it’s a bit acidic but I found myself drinking this champagne for most of the evening. It was delicious.” - Mr. J.M.
”Fabulous Champagne!” - Ms. S. M.
“We’ve just, popped the first bottle of Fourny and it is DELIGHTFUL!” - Mr. J. R.
“In a word: sublime.” - The Wine Advocate, 94 points
Nothing lifts your spirits more than a glass of rosé Champagne and this is a dry and delicate Brut made from Premier Cru Pinot Noir and Chardonnay sourced from 40 year-old vines. As with all of Veuve Fourny’s Champagnes, they are proud to exhibit the quality of their fruit and they don’t attempt to disguise it behind a high dosage, so this is resolutely dry with only 6 grams per litre of residual sugar. 12.5% alc Drink now-2029.
Press review:
The Wine Advocate: “The NV Brut Rosé Premier Cru is fabulous. Rich, ample and beautifully resonant in the glass, the Premier Cru dazzles from the very first taste. Unlike the Blanc Premier Crus in this range, the Rosé has more body and textural intensity, all of which make for an absolutely compelling wine. I love the vinous intensity here. Orange peel, raspberry and kirsch linger on the Pinot-driven finish. In a word: sublime. Drink now-2028.” 94 points
JancisRobinson.com: “This deep-coloured, almost tomato-red champagne is so meaty and substantial and intense that it is first wine then champagne. It smells of red apple and bitter orange peel. It tastes of tamarillos and pitanga berries, tart raspberries, the citrus fragrance of telicherry peppercorns, cinnamon stick. Tiny tight bubbles buzz with tiny tongue-tingling voltage. It feels like running my tongue over old weathered stones. We threw it in at the deep end, pairing it with hokkigai marinated in ponzu with fresh coriander, spring onions, ginger and sesame oil, and this gorgeous wine went toe to toe, with casual grace, with all those game-changing ingredients. I’d love to try this with beef! (Tamlyn Currin). Drink now-2026.” 17 points
Vinous: “The NV Brut Rosé is a real stand-out. Deep, beautifully layered and vinous, the Rosé comes alive in the glass. Blood orange, rose petal, mint and cinnamon build in a compelling Rosé that marries richness and vibrancy. In a word: compelling. Drink now-2027.” 94 points
Decanter: "Veuve Fourny in Vertus is a specialist in turning out true Côte des Blancs rosés using Vertus Pinot Noir. This effortlessly pretty, fragrant non-vintage uses 13% red wine from the village, together with 40% Pinot Noir as blanc de noirs and 47% Chardonnay from reserve to craft a rosé perfectly poised between sweet red apple, cherry and nectarine fruits, an energising squeeze of Chardonnay citrus and subtle richness of sourdough toast and fresh nut. Joyous." 93 points