Champagne Extra Brut
Cramant 2016

Domaine Tellier is located in the heart of the Champagne region, between the Montagne de Reims and the Côte des Blancs, in Moussy, near Épernay. Most of its plots are spread across five different villages and - depending on their location, topography and soil structure - each parcel reflects a micro-Terroir. To take advantage of this bio-diversity, it was decided to vinify all the plots separately.

Although chalk remains the keystone of Champagne's great terroirs, vineyards are divided into two groups: in Moussy and Pierry, deep soils on chalky mother rock are meant for structured, powerful and long-finishing wines; while in Chavot, Fontaine-sur-Aÿ and Cramant, soils with a surface outcrop of chalk are for wines of great elegance and minerality. The cellar is modern, designed to facilitate the work of the team and the quality of the wines but underneath is an ageing cellar dating back to the 19th century with a constant temperature of 11°C.

Domaine Tellier's vineyards have an average age of 35 years (the oldest vines were planted in 1964) and most of the vines come from the massal selection that allows them to preserve their viticultural heritage of which they are so proud. The work in the vineyard is very careful, for Domaine Tellier soil, climate, exposure and the work of the winegrower can shape the Terroir. This is a crucial notion for the quality of the wine: research, observation and rigour are the milestones of the work in the vineyard.

Natural vineyard management is practised, with as little interventionism as possible, and in 2016, on Christophe's initiative, Domaine Tellier obtained the HVE (Haute Valeur Environnementale) certification and then went on to convert to organic viticulture. Each of the 18 plots is unique, with its own history, soil, climate and vines. So, in order to respect the origin of each grape, Quentin chooses to vinify them separately and in wooden barrels to allow the aromas to express at their best.

There a meticulous control of the evolution of the wines follows every week, until the blending and after the final tasting, it is decided whether to compose a wine by blending different plots so that the balances and flavours are in harmony, or to preserve the singular character of some plots to highlight the finesse of a Grand Cru or Premier Cru.

The ageing in the cellar is very long, with a minimum of 40 months. Yet, for Domaine Tellier time is not a constraint, it is a strength. Some wines will wait many years before revealing all their harmony: the Domain lets let time do its work so that wines can settle and develop their finesse and complexity. Patience and trust are the key words for successful ageing.