Tasting notes: The starry story of Champagne Porte Noire Blanc de Blancs
David Farber, co-founder of Porte Noire, gives us the lowdown on this new-on-the-scene fizz
Ryan Gosling has Aviation Gin, Kendall Jenner has 818 Tequila, Beyonce has Sir Davis whiskey — and Idris Elba has Porte Noire. Brought about through a shared passion for wine, entrepreneur David Farber and Idris Elba visited the prestigious Sanger viticultural school in Champagne in 2018, and two years later, Porte Noire was born.
Combining Farber’s knowledge and experience in the wine trade and Elba’s gusto and entrepreneurial spirit, in 2020 the first bottles of Porte Noire’s Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs vintage champagne were released. An instant hit, the duo went on to curate a unique collection of wines, with champagne always at the heart of the brand.
The golden-hued tipple that started it off, the Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs, offers the classic characteristics of this style with added depth and intricacy of flavour, with aromatic white fruits, citrus, subtle floral perfume and crisp minerality delivered with delicacy. Here Porte Noire co-founder, wine expert and entrepreneur David Farber offers up the tasting notes for the bottle that started it all.
Tasting note 1: Toasted Brioche
On the palate, you will notice notes of toasted brioche, pear and marzipan, followed by dried fruits and nuts, showing beautiful layers of complexity popping up one after the other. These are the characteristics of aged Chardonnay-based champagnes, more commonly referred to as Blanc de Blancs. These aromas are developed by ageing on the lees during the time the champagne rested in the bottle before disgorgement — our champagne spends 52 months on the lees.
Tasting note 2: Chalky notes
You will very characteristically taste some mineral and chalky notes, which will keep your palate dry and fresh, providing structure and elegance to the wines. Our grapes come from Avize, which is in the heart of the Cote des Blancs in Champagne (the hill of the whites), where the soil is a thick layer of typical white chalk and where the best Chardonnay is sourced. This is also the area that includes the highest number of Grand Cru vineyards.
Tasting note 3: Green Apple
The multiple, complex layers are balanced by flavours of green apple and confit citrus. The mouthfeel stays very fresh and makes our champagne very easy to drink, light and well-balanced. Once again, those are specific palate notes that come from the Chardonnay grapes and the region. This is impressive for a champagne of this age and is due to the Grand Cru terroir, producing excellent quality grapes helping make this champagne very long-lasting.
Tasting note 4: Saline Minerality
A saline minerality, which you could compare to the sensation you feel when you’re on the coast and there is a sunny sea breeze, provides a sensation of freshness on the palate. The salinity also makes it a fantastic food pairing champagne, matching perfectly seafood, white meats or aged hard cheeses. This is a reminiscence of the Chardonnay grapes growing on chalk, the combination of the two creating this slightly salty mineral finish.
Tasting note 5: White Flowers
White flowers, stone fruits and finesse would be the highlights of Porte Noire 2013. This is one of the striking features of this champagne, such complexity with multiple layers while staying very easy to drink. This comes from the expert vinification of the Chardonnay from Avize by our champagne house, creating a freshness that is emphasised by the perlage, quality, size, and roundness of the bubbles. It’s extremely elegant, well-balanced and pleasant on the palate.
Where to sip
Champagne Porte Noire Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs 2013 is available at Porte Noire Restaurant and Wine Bar, the Ivy Collection and the Aqua Kyoto terrace.
Porte Noire Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs 2013
Visit portenoire.co.uk
