Unisson Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru NV Franck Bonville

Tasting Note Unisson Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru NV

Initially, aromas of lemon and crushed chalk emerge, followed by notes of brioche and toasted hazelnuts derived from extended lees aging. On the palate, Unisson Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru offers a texture that is both creamy and firm, with a finish that is almost savoury. Thanks to the low dosage, it maintains a dry character rather than a soft one.

Grape Varieties

This wine contains no varietal blends. Franck Bonville grows nothing but Chardonnay, while Unisson is made from Grand Cru grapes from Avize, with Oger in some releases.

The blend composition is therefor Chardonnay, 100%. 

This bottling combines grapes from two harvests; the younger grapes contribute fruitiness, while the older grapes add depth.

Cellaring Potential

It is ready to drink now and can be cellared until 2036. Aging on the lees and a low dosage form the wine's structure. Serve at 9-11°C in a white wine glass rather than a flute.

About Franck Bonville

Every plot Franck Bonville farms is planted with Chardonnay, more than 80 of them, spread across Avize, Cramant, Oger and Le Mesnil-sur-Oger. Nearly every cuvée is therefore a Blanc de Blancs, the exception a rosé made from bought grapes. Olivier Bonville runs the family estate in Avize, in the Côte des Blancs, joined in 2020 by his son-in-law Ferdinand Ruelle-Dudel, an aerospace engineer from Reims. Their working principle is simple. Ripeness comes before acidity: grapes go to the press once phenolically ripe, malolactic fermentation is never blocked, and the wines spend several years on their lees. Most fermentation happens in stainless steel, though barrels and 600-litre demi-muids handle some wines. And the roots go back to 1936, when Alfred Bonville and his son Franck bought a winemaker's house in the heart of Avize.

Terroir & Climate

Avize is situated on the mid-slope of the Côte des Blancs Cuesta, where Campanian chalk lies close to the surface. The soil drains quickly, which is precisely where the citrus, salt and straight line originate.

Winemaking

Aged on the lees for 4 to 5 years, it develops a creamy and deeply flavorful character. Oak notes are imparted to Unisson through tirage and dosage liqueurs produced in 228-liter barrels and 600-liter demi-muids.

Food Pairing: Unisson Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru by Franck Bonville

Thanks to its notes of salt and chalk, this wine pairs well with shellfish. It's delightful to enjoy raw oysters on their own without mignonette sauce, and it also pairs wonderfully with seared scallops, where sweetness and citrus notes harmonize. It pairs well with sole meunière because its acidity complements the flavor of the golden-brown butter. Furthermore, an aged Comté picks up the lees character with its nutty flavors. It also pairs well with sushi, especially dishes featuring rice seasoned with vinegar.