Champagne Brut Nature
Exploration E|05

The Champagne Exploration by Tom Gauditiabois was conceived as an identity-driven project aimed at capturing the most authentic expression of the western sector of the Vallée de la Marne, particularly around Chézy-sur-Marne, where Tom cultivates roughly 7 hectares of vineyards. A young vigneron trained in Avize, with experience in New Zealand and in the artisanal school of Domaine Jacques Selosse, Gauditiabois has developed a vision centred on transparency, micro-vinifications, ephemeral interpretations and a profound focus on Meunier, the signature grape of his pedoclimatic mosaic.

This E|05 edition, the 2019 base vintage, is crafted as a Blanc de Noirs from fully ripe Meunier. Vinification follows an artisanal approach featuring spontaneous fermentations with indigenous yeasts in 400-litre oak barrels for about one month, followed by 11 months of maturation on fine lees. After bottling for prise de mousse, the wine ages for over 48 months on its lees, with no final dosage, thus presenting itself as Brut Nature. The cuvée shows an essential and crystalline character, where minerality, precision and a direct reading of the vintage stand out clearly. The style perfectly reflects the producer’s philosophy: enhancing the grape’s natural identity and the contribution of the region’s calcareous-clay soils, favouring an agile structure, a sharp freshness and a transparent expression of place.

On the palate, Exploration E|05 reveals tension and brightness, with aromas of white fruit, delicate citrus, hints of pale flowers and a subtle chalky imprint. The palate is firm yet slender, marked by a fine bead, excellent verticality and a dry, linear progression leading to a long, precise, saline finish. The balance between energy, aromatic purity and mineral depth defines a vibrant, contemporary Champagne, fully aligned with Tom Gauditiabois’s stylistic vision.

Produced in an extremely limited release of just 588 bottles.