Vauban Frères, Brut Special Cuvée NV

This is our house champagne, and we absolutely love it! A blend of Grand Cru Chardonnay, Premier Cru Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. Straw colour with fine bubbles and light sparkling mousse. A fruity nose with a fresh, light, lively and balanced palate, with a long lasting flavour.

The founder, Armand-Raphaël Graser, left his native Alsace in 1915 and settled in the town of Damery, in an 18th century building which is still the company headquarters today. The house name is derived from the following; A.R. being for Armand-Raphael, and 'Lenoble' being a tribute to the nobility of Champagne wines. Today the house is owned by the founder's great granddaughter, Anne Malassagne and her brother Antoine.


• Bio: Organic
• Grape Varieties: Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay
• Size of Bottle: 750ml

AR Lenoble was founded nearly 100 years ago in 1920. Still family owned by sister-and-brother team Anne and Antoine Malassagne, the great-grandchildren of founder Armand-Raphaël Graser. AR Lenoble owns 18 hectares in three prime locations in Champagne. Chouilly, Bisseuil and Damery. 100% of the Chardonnay used to craft their wines comes from the Grand Cru village of Chouilly while 100% of the Pinot Noir comes from the Premier Cru village of Bisseuil. Pinot Meunier comes from the village of Damery.

The vineyards of Champagne are planted in three distinct areas south of the city of Reims. The 'Montagne de Reims' is predominately planted with Pinot Noir, the backbone to the Champagne blend, whilst Chardonnay is ideally suited to the chalky slopes of the 'Cote des Blancs' south of the town of Epernay. Pinot Meunier dominates the 'Vallee de la Marne', an area susceptible to frosts, which it is more able to withstand, due to later budding. The secret of Champagne is in the blend, where wines from different grape varieties and vineyards are blended to achieve the 'house style'.