Champagne Devaux was originally founded in 1846 by brothers Jules and Auguste Devaux in Epernay, before relocating to the Côte des Bar during the 1980s. Hailed as the heartland of Pinot Noir in Champagne, the Côte des Bar is physically closer to Chablis than Reims or Épernay, meaning its vines are grown on Burgundian soils of Kimmeridgian marl and Portlandian limestone. Chef de Cave since 1999, Michel Parisot was named the ‘Sparkling Winemaker of the Year’ at the 2020 International Wine Challenge, a testament to Michel’s pioneering approach to winemaking. Today, the estate is owned by the Union Auboise.
The “D Collection” wines are Devaux’s very best. The grapes come from selected, sustainably farmed parcels across 50 hectares. The majority of the vineyards are situated in the Aube on Kimmeridgian limestone-clay soils. This continental climate, on the slopes of the Côte des Bars, is important; it gives the Pinot Noir richness and intensity on the nose, while retaining finesse. The Chardonnay component is sourced from vines planted on the fine chalky soils of the Côte des Blancs, Vitry and Montgueux (“the Meursault of Champagne”), which lend liveliness and elegance to the blend.
The ‘D Millésimé’ undergoes over seven years of extended ageing on its lees, displaying exceptional complexity, structure, and balance. Devaux ages most of their reserve wines in oak barrels of different sizes, toasts and ages, which are all sourced locally to minimise environmental impact. The intelligent use of oak in Devaux’s wines led former Chef de Cave of Krug, Eric Lebel, to refer to Devaux as “the Krug of the Côte des Bar”.
This wine is 100% issued from Coeur de Cuvée pressing (the first half of the first pressing) to guarantee the most elegant and fresh juices. Fermentation took place in stainless steel with 48% of the blend going through malolactic fermentation to add texture and complexity. Once bottled, this cuvée stayed on lees for a minimum of seven years. The final wine is released a minimum of six months after disgorgement.
The 2014 vintage saw ideal conditions during flowering, followed by a generous and sunny harvest. This yielded Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes of excellent health, with ideal alcohol levels. The beautiful harvest conditions of 2014 resulted in excellent quality wines.
The nose is elegant and complex with aromas of apricot stone, lemon zest and toasted hazelnut. On the palate, creamy mouthfeel and crisp acidity culminate in a full and rounded finish.
