Luc Belaire is a premium brand of French sparkling wine that has know an extraordinary success since the launch of its Luc Belaire Rare Rosé in 2011.
The brand was created by New York-based Sovereign Brands, whose CEO Brett Berish also created the Armand de Brignac Ace of Spades Champagne made famous by the recurring appearance of its distinctive golden bottle in Jay-Z videos and nightlife extravaganzas.
While Armand de Brignac Ace of Spades brand was sold to Jay-Z himself in November 2014, Luc Belaire found another rapper to endorse the brand: Rick Ross.
The support of Maybach record label’s founder, combined with a distinctive black and gold bottle design, propeled the Luc Belaire Rare Rosé within the Top 100 most searched for wines in the US, as reported by Wine-Searcher.
To widen its offering, Luc Belaire launched last September (2014) the Rare Brut we are tasting today, a white sparkling wine.
The Rare Brut is made in Burgundy, with 100% French Chardonnay grapes, granting it the unofficial designation of Blanc de Blancs.
Read more perspectives on this cuvee, with score (89/100 points) and full tasting notes, check out our latest review article about at Rating & Tasting Notes of Luc Belaire Gold Rare Brut, France.
But what is this popular and now famous wine really worth, when it comes to marketing-free professional tasting ?
As always, the answer is in the tasting notes:
One has to admit the back bottle is unusual, rather intimidating in a way. It’s intriguing, but somehow classy: a mat dark aspect lit up by golden elements. One understands this works well in night clubs and trendy nightlife places. On their website Luc Belaire goes as far as talking of a ‘Black Bottle Movement’. Well here it is, the bottle doesn’t move unless someone holds it, but it does call for a generous pour!!
But let’s focus on the wine. We said marketing-free professional tasting notes! I guess I’m just contextualizing which is an important part of tasting, being aware of how the context plays its part in the experience.
The wine appears bright yellow, slightly golden and a touch of orangey hue. Fine bubbles going up relatively slowly joining a delicate mousse at the surface.
Light floral characters, mid-intensity yet complex aromas on the nose: nuts, grenade, blossoms, citrus. Intriguing nose with no dominant note.
The real intensity of flavors is revealed on the palate, with an explosion of citrus aromas, apricot: lemon, and grape fruit. It’s combined with plenty of nutty notes, brioche and toast. A touch of sweetness, but also a savory and salty character developing on the palate. Very soft velvety bubbles rounded up by a nearly oily texture. Crisp vibrant finish, quite long.
Overall: an extremely enjoyable mouth-watering sparkling wine. Quite unusual with such a refined explosion of intense and complex aromas and sweet/savory character combination. Fine bubbles, great length.
Appearance and marketing aside, one has to admit this seems a very decent buy, great quality for a very decent price if you like rich yet quite complex and long flavors.
Wine Facts:
- Grape Blend: 100% Chardonnay
- Alcohol: 12.5%
- Residual Sugar: 15 g/L
- Total Acidity: 4.46 g/L
- Recommended Serving Temperature: 6 C / 42 F
Also check out the Wine review of Luc Belaire Rare Rosé
Find this wine online on Wine-Searcher
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