Champagne Extra Brut
"Argile, Craie et Sable" Millésime Vinothéque 2011

The Champagne “Argile, Craie et Sable” Vinothèque by Tristan Hyest carries in its very name the geology that shapes it. Clay, chalk and sand alternate across the vineyards the vigneron farms around the village of Trélou-sur-Marne, in the Vallée de la Marne. On parcels facing south and east, each soil leaves its own mark on the wine, with the generosity of sand, the depth of clay and the mineral tension of limestone, in an authentic and layered expression of the land.

This edition, Vintage 2011, is made from equal parts Meunier and Pinot Noir grapes, completed by 30% Chardonnay grapes, in a harmonious balance between the three great Champagne varieties. Vinification and fermentation take place in stainless steel tanks, preserving the freshness and definition of the fruit with precision, and after the tirage comes more than 13 years of ageing on its own lees, an exceptional maturation that earns the Vinothèque designation and gives the wine great evolutionary complexity. The final dosage, in Extra Brut style, preserves the purity and tension of the whole.

On tasting, “Argile, Craie et Sable” 2011 shows an intense, luminous golden colour with a very fine, persistent perlage. The nose opens on ripe yellow fruit and candied citrus, then moves toward brioche, toasted hazelnut, acacia honey and delicate hints of undergrowth, the legacy of long lees contact. On the palate it is broad and creamy, carried by a still vibrant freshness and a mineral texture that frames its structure with elegance. The finish is savoury and deep, with very long persistence. Production in a limited run of 762 bottles.