Born in the heart of Les Hautes Mottes, located in Mesnil-sur-Oger, this single vineyard Blanc de Blancs 100% Chardonnay Grand Cru vintage 2016 is the very embodiment of purity and minerality. Les Hautes Mottes consists of two separate plots, facing east, on poor, chalky soil, where the vines, averaging 16 years old, are rooted in compact chalk. This unique terroir gives this champagne a rare tension and complexity.
Harvested in 2016, this cuvée was vinified with care: 80% in stainless steel vats to preserve the freshness and finesse of the fruit, and 20% in barrels to add a touch of roundness and complexity. After bottling in July 2017, this champagne benefited from an exceptional 60 months of aging in the cellar on lees, before being disgorged in April 2023. Dosage is 1.5 g/L, expressing an Extra-Brut style, with an alcohol content of 12.5% vol.
Production is deliberately limited to 1,922 bottles and 120 magnums, highlighting the rare and precious nature of this cuvée, produced from a 67-acre vineyard using environmentally friendly viticulture methods: natural winter grass cover, seasonal plowing, gentle protection, and manual harvesting.
Appearance: A pale golden color with silvery highlights, clear and brilliant, enlivened by an ultra-fine and persistent string of bubbles, a sign of great craftsmanship.
On the nose: The bouquet is intense and complex, marked by aromas of ripe white fruits (Golden Delicious apple, Williams pear), notes of white flowers (hawthorn, acacia) and a touch of citrus zest (lemon, grapefruit). A pronounced minerality, evoking chalk and flint, recalls the unique identity of the Hautes Mottes terroir.
Palate: The attack is fresh and lively, carried by a racy acidity that brings remarkable tension. The texture is creamy and precise, with an impressive length on the palate. Aromas of white fruit and citrus mingle with brioche and slightly toasted notes, leading to a mineral, salty and persistent finish, typical of the great wines of Mesnil-sur-Oger.
Food and champagne pairings: This champagne pairs beautifully with oysters, scallops, noble fish (sea bass, John Dory), or mature goat's cheeses. It can also accompany more daring dishes, such as a wild mushroom risotto or poultry in a creamy sauce.
