Champagne Extra Brut
Chemin du Bois 2019

The Champagne Chemin du Bois by Fabrice Pouillon expresses with rare intensity the deepest character of Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, a Premier Cru village from the Vallée de la Marne where clay-limestone soils give Pinot Noir full ripeness and a surprising mineral tension. Coming from a single parcel that gives the cuvée its name, this Blanc de Noirs is made exclusively from Pinot Noir grapes grown on vines farmed according to organic and biodynamic principles, reflecting an artisanal vision that places respect for the vineyard and absolute fidelity to its place of origin at the centre of everything.

This edition, Vintage 2019, follows the Méthode Fabrice Pouillon, an approach that excludes any external sugar and sulphites at every stage of production. Vinification and fermentation take place spontaneously with indigenous yeasts in oak barrels ranging from new to four previous uses, with regular bâtonnage, while part of the must is kept in stainless steel until spring and then added to the vin clair to start the second fermentation in bottle in place of the traditional liqueur de tirage. After tirage, the wine undergoes a long ageing on the lees of around 60 months before dégorgement, and the final dosage, in Extra Brut style, is also made with the Domaine’s own grape must, in full harmony with the philosophy of the whole project.

On tasting, Chemin du Bois 2019 opens on the nose with ripe red fruits and delicate floral hints, then evolves towards toasted notes, brioche and sweet spices, with a saline touch that brings energy and depth to the whole. On the palate it is full and structured, with a creamy texture supported by vibrant freshness and a chalky minerality that defines its balance, leading to a long, savoury finish of great persistence. Production in a limited run of 1,250 bottles.