Coteaux Champenois Rouge
Les Douaires 2022

The Coteaux Champenois Rouge Les Douaires 2022 by Alexandre Grimée is a rare red wine originating from the namesake Lieu-Dit located in the village of Bonneil, in the Vallée de la Marne, a parcel planted in 1989 and defined by a steep slope – up to 45% – and an east-facing exposure that favours slow and precise ripening. The calcareous-marl soil shapes the identity of this still wine, an artisanal interpretation of Meunier through a territorial lens, offering a faithful reading of the vintage and the purest expression of the vineyard.

The 2022 harvest is processed with an essential approach: the 100% Meunier grapes undergo an initial maceration in stainless steel at 12°C for 3 days, followed by a further 8 days of maceration to extract colour and structure gently and progressively. Maturation continues in 228-L barriques, where the wine ages slowly, developing complexity without ever losing the freshness and site-driven character that define it. Bottling, carried out in January 2024, takes place without superfluous interventions, in line with the producer’s philosophy of precision and minimalism.

In tasting, Les Douaires 2022 shows a luminous and delicate ruby profile, with clear aromas of wild strawberry, redcurrant and raspberry, followed by hints of dried rose and subtle spicy notes. On the palate it stands out for elegance and finesse: fine tannins, lively acidity, linear energy and a balance that combines freshness, sapidity and a clean, understated persistence. A Coteaux Champenois that conveys the verticality of Meunier and the purity of the Bonneil terroir through an essential, refined and deeply identity-driven style.

Produced in a limited release of only 395 bottles.