Technical Specifications
Alcohol 10.5%
Total Acidity 8.5 g/L
Grape Varieties Chardonnay, Pinot Noir
Chardonnay55%
Pinot Noir45%
Region Champagne
Grapes Picked September 18
Lees Aging 3 months
Bottling Date July 6, 1998
Disgorgement Date July 6, 1998
Production Details The 1997 vintage was characterized by difficult weather patterns. Very cold conditions at the beginning of winter destroyed many buds, but the end of the season was very mild, allowing vegetation to grow earlier than usual. Later, spring frosts damaged almost one quarter of the vineyards and flowering took place during a very cool period, which was also three times wetter than usual. August was punctuated by violent hailstorms and there were also severe attacks of mildew. Fortunately, a dry, sunny September with very cool nights saved the vintage. Harvesting began on September 18th. Starting at the end of November, the first tastings of the vins clairs vinified in casks already showed a high standard of quality throughout the regions and the grape varieties. The wines were racked promptly in order to retain the fine lees and to allow three months of weekly lees stirring. Thereafter, the last cold days of winter were used to clarify the wines naturally. The tastings that followed confirmed first impressions: full-bodied, rich, and showing a beautiful complexity. At the end of May, the decision was made to use for the assemblage the Pinots Noirs from Ay Vauzelle Terme (28%), a selection of Pinots Noirs from Verzenay (17%), the Chardonnays from Oiry Champ Braux (35%), as well as a selection of Chardonnays from Avize (9%) and Chouilly (11%).
Producer Information
Website
Address
68 rue du Colonel Fabien, 51530 DIZY, France
Phone
+33 (0)3 26 55 68 11
Email
Owner
Jean-Hervé Chiquet, Laurent Chiquet
Cellarmaster
Jean-Hervé Chiquet, Laurent Chiquet