Champagne Brut Nature
Exploration E|07

The Champagne Exploration by Tom Gauditiabois was conceived as an identity-driven project dedicated to the most authentic interpretation of the western sector of the Vallée de la Marne, particularly around Chézy-sur-Marne, where Tom cultivates roughly 7 hectares of vineyard. A young vigneron trained in Avize, with experience in New Zealand and a key formative period within the artisanal school of Domaine Jacques Selosse, Tom has developed a vision focused on transparency, micro-vinifications, ephemeral interpretations, and the fullest possible expression of Meunier, the emblematic variety of his pedoclimatic mosaic.

This E|07 edition, based on the 2020 harvest, is crafted as a Blanc de Noirs made from Meunier harvested at full maturity. The winemaking follows an artisanal approach: spontaneous fermentations with indigenous yeasts in 400-liter oak barrels for about one month, followed by 11 months of ageing on fine lees. After tirage, the wine continues with over 24 months of ageing on the lees, with no final dosage, presenting itself as a Brut Nature. The cuvée displays an essential, crystalline profile in which minerality, precision and a direct reading of the vintage emerge clearly. An approach that fully reflects the producer’s philosophy: preserving the original integrity of the grape and the voice of the calcareous-clay soils, favouring an agile structure, sharp freshness and a transparent expression of the terroir.

On the palate, Exploration E|07 appears elegant and luminous, with a pale yellow hue enlivened by a fine, steady bead. The nose opens with notes of white flowers, crisp pear and ripe citrus, accompanied by touches of fresh almond, subtle bakery tones and a marked chalky imprint. The palate reveals drive, energy and impeccable verticality: the attack is tense and saline, the progression linear and pure, supported by a delicate texture and incisive freshness. The finish is long, essential and marked by mineral echoes and a dry, precise closure that reaffirms the identity of Meunier and the character of the western Vallée de la Marne. Produced in an extremely limited release of only 1,217 bottles.