91pts Wine Enthusiast
With Pinot Noir to the fore, this Champagne, named after the King of France who defeated the English to end the Hundred Years War, has richness and a light touch of tannin. The dosage offers a warm, ripe aftertaste.
90pts Vinous
Bright yellow-gold. Ripe pit and orchard fruits on the nose. Offers flavors of red currant, cherry and musky herbs, with sneaky anise and truffle nuances building on the back half. Distinctly rich and even a touch decadent but finishes with very good energy and brightening acidity.
History
1860 in Ludes, Victor Canard, A cooper, and Léonie Duchêne, from a family of "vignerons" met and fell in love. They got married, and started to make their own champagne.
Success came quickly, so they then decided to set up their own Champagne house. They joined their names together, in the true Champagne tradition, and Canard-Duchêne was born. The year was 1868.
In 1890, their son, Edmond Canard took over. He was young, bold, loved champagne, and really understood the new world which was coming up. Under his guidance, Canard-Duchêne became international champagne, especially as one of the Champagnes supplied to the court of Tsar Nicholas II.
The relationship has left its mark: from then on, the Canard Duchêne coat of arms has borne the two-headed eagle, emblem of the Russian Imperial Family. Another symbol was added later. The sabre, in memory of a tradition which is intimately linked with champagne, celebration and reward. For the last hundred years, the eagle and the sabre have been our coat of arms.
The Third generation continues on the same tracks. Since 1930, Victor Canard, the founder's grandson, gives a new life of the son. After the recent integration of Canard-Duchêne in the privately-owned group Alain Thiénot, it now occupies a strong position on the French market. At the same time, the House is developing its international markets. Long a Symbol of enjoyment and elegance, Champagne is a gift from nature. From the 300 "crus" in the Champagne region, Canard-Duchêne has chosen 60 of them, blending Pinots and Chardonnay, in order to create year after year fruity, balanced and rounded wines.
