Coteaux Champenois Blanc
Chardonnay Les Plantes 2022

The Coteaux Champenois Chardonnay Les Plantes by Gaspard Brochet is a still white wine from a small plot nestled in the woods of the Premier Cru village of Écueil, on the south-western slope of the Montagne de Reims. An integral part of Domaine Les Croix, this plot stands out for its clay-silt soil and for the presence of the ancient foundations of the Château d'Écueil, which bear witness to its history and identity. The vineyard, planted in 1989 by his father Vincent Brochet, is today farmed according to principles of respectful agriculture, without herbicides or pesticides and with exclusively manual work. The 2022 vintage, marked by extremely low yields — on average two bunches per plant — further concentrated the purity and essence of the fruit.

This edition, the 2022 harvest, follows an artisanal and non-interventionist approach in vinification. Spontaneous fermentations take place in small oak barriques, with gravity-fed racking and no filtration or mechanical fining. The barrels are left unfilled, allowing a slight controlled oxidation that enhances the depth and aromatic complexity of the wine. Natural clarification occurs during the winter months, thanks to the low temperatures, which favour a slow and spontaneous settling.

On tasting, the Chardonnay Les Plantes 2022 presents a luminous golden yellow, with straw-coloured reflections that anticipate its textural richness. The bouquet is intense and deep, with notes of yellow apple, ripe pear and fresh almond, joined by hints of salted butter, toasted hazelnut and oxidative nuances of honey and beeswax, the hallmarks of ageing in unfilled wood. In the background emerge mineral and smoky tones, which lend verticality and complexity to the aromatic profile. On the palate it reveals an ample and creamy attack, supported by a lively, saline freshness that balances the material. The structure is full and enveloping, yet animated by a mineral vibration that prolongs its gustatory development. The finish is long and precise, with a close that recalls candied citrus, hazelnut and wet stone, leaving a sensation of purity and harmonious balance. Produced in just 570 numbered bottles.