This grower champagne is run by a talented couple who has also received expert counsel from Eric Rodez, former chef du cave at Krug. A fave. among those in the know, get it now while still very undervalued.
What sets Écueil apart from the surrounding Premier and Grand Crus of the Montagne de Reims is the high percentage of sand mixed in with the clay = power + lift and elegance. Ecueil is unique in its soils as they vary from sand atop deep chalk to clay atop shallow chalk at the bottom of the slopes.
43% from 2019 vintage, 57% reserve wine. 30 year old vines.
clear, fresh, pure, finessed, chalky, salty, yellow orchard fruit, Meyer lemon, almond paste, medium bodied and tightly wound, generous mousse.
region: Écueil, Montagne De Reims, Champagne, France
varietal: 85% pinot noir & 15% chardonnay
style: Champagne
farming/cellar: organic & biodynamic. hand harvested. vinified in mostly stainless steel with 10% neutral barrels used in the winery. From there it was transferred to bottle for 22 months of lees ageing before being disgorged with a scant 4.5 grams per liter and a low total sulfur of 20 mg/l.
pairing: the star all on it's own as an aperitif.
