Champagne Extra Brut
La Grande Vigne 2017

The Champagne La Grande Vigne by Suenen is the Domaine's only Blanc de Noirs, a rare cuvée born from old ungrafted Meunier vines, own-rooted, planted in 1969 in Montigny-sur-Vesle, in the Massif de Saint-Thierry northwest of Reims. Here the roots sink into deep sandy soils that do not reach the chalky substrate, a unique condition that preserves the vine from phylloxera and gives the wine an unmistakable character. From this precious plot comes a Champagne of strong territorial identity, a vinous and fruity counterpoint to the Chardonnay expressions of the Côte des Blancs.

This edition, Vintage 2017, undergoes vinification and maturation in a 600-litre demi-muid, with indigenous yeasts and without any addition of enzymes or chaptalisation, where the wine matures for around 9 months. After bottling comes a long ageing on the lees for around 70 months, which builds depth and complexity without altering its original purity, while the final dosage of 3 g/l, in an Extra Brut style, enhances its precision and balance in perfect coherence with the vigneron's expressive philosophy.

On tasting, La Grande Vigne 2017 stands out for a vinous and enveloping profile, supported by a vibrant acidity that lends momentum and definition to the palate. Tones of raspberry and wild strawberry intertwine with nuances of biscuit and cereal, in a texture both fleshy and slender, sustained by a soft and finely chiselled mousse. The balance between fruit and freshness delivers a long and dynamic persistence, where a delicate spicy trail signs off a clean, deep finish of great expressive coherence. Production in a limited run of 677 bottles.