J. Vignier’s QVFMR “Les Jardins d’Elise” is an exceptionally rare, long-aged Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs created as part of the estate’s Cuvée Éphémère collection. Produced entirely from Chardonnay grown in Cramant, this singular 2008 Champagne honors Nathalie Vignier’s great-grandmother, Elise, and the historic vineyards she helped establish.
The cuvée is d...Show More >
J. Vignier’s QVFMR “Les Jardins d’Elise” is an exceptionally rare, long-aged Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs created as part of the estate’s Cuvée Éphémère collection. Produced entirely from Chardonnay grown in Cramant, this singular 2008 Champagne honors Nathalie Vignier’s great-grandmother, Elise, and the historic vineyards she helped establish.
The cuvée is drawn from three individual Cramant lieux-dits originally planted by Elise: Chenelots, Marais and Herbin. The vines were between approximately 25 and 45 years old at harvest and grow on complex soils of Cretaceous chalk, marl and loam. These varied Grand Cru sites combine depth and ripeness with the freshness, precision and mineral tension for which Cramant Chardonnay is renowned.
The name QVFMR represents a collection of limited, ephemeral Champagnes through which Nathalie Vignier explores historic parcels and traditional cellar methods. Each release is produced in very small quantities and offers a distinctive expression of the family’s vineyards, heritage and long history in the Côte des Blancs.
The 2008 Les Jardins d’Elise was fermented and aged in previously used neutral oak barrels, allowing the wine to develop texture and complexity without overwhelming the purity of the fruit. It remained on its fine lees until bottling in June 2009 and then spent an extraordinary 13 years aging en tirage. The bottles were disgorged by hand and finished with a restrained dosage of only 2.7 grams per liter.
Richly developed yet remarkably precise, this mature Blanc de Blancs offers layers of preserved citrus, ripe orchard fruit, toasted almond, brioche and subtle pastry notes. Its extended lees aging contributes a refined, creamy mousse and profound savory complexity, while the chalk-rich Cramant terroir provides freshness, structure and a long mineral finish.
With its Extra-Brut dosage and extensive bottle aging, Les Jardins d’Elise is a serious, gastronomic Champagne. It pairs beautifully with caviar, oysters, lobster, scallops, turbot, roasted poultry, mushroom dishes, aged Comté and other mature cheeses.
Wine Details
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Producer: J. Vignier
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Cuvée: QVFMR “Les Jardins d’Elise”
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Collection: Cuvée Éphémère
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Vintage: 2008
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Region: Champagne, France
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Appellation: Côte des Blancs
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Village: Cramant
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Classification: Grand Cru
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Wine Style: Blanc de Blancs Extra-Brut
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Grape Variety: 100% Chardonnay
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Vineyards: Chenelots, Marais and Herbin
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Vine Age: Approximately 25–45 years at harvest
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Orientation: South, southwest and northeast
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Soil: Cretaceous chalk, marl and loam
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Farming: Certified sustainable by Socofret
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Vinification: Neutral oak barrels
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Élevage: Neutral oak barrels on the fine lees
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Bottling: June 2009
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Lees Aging: 13 years en tirage
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Disgorgement: Disgorged by hand
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Malolactic Fermentation: Yes
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Dosage: 2.7 g/L
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Residual Sugar: 2.7 g/L
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Acidity: 6.2 g/L
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pH: 2.97
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Alcohol: 11.5%
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Bottle Size: 750ml
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