Inattendue Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut 2020

The Inattendue Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut 2020 is a single-varietal Chardonnay champagne from Huré Frères, sourced from Premier Cru vineyards around Ludes in the Montagne de Reims. Cool and linear in style, with a dosage of 2 to 3 grams per litre that conceals nothing of the soil or the base wine.

The grapes come from roughly one hectare of old vines planted in 1982 and 1989, in the Ludes vineyards Les Sentiers and Sainte-Marie, as well as in Rilly-la-Montagne. The soils are clay-limestone with strong chalk influence, and the north-facing exposure keeps them cool. Sand and clay content lend creaminess to the fruit, while the limestone provides salinity, freshness and an austere, structuring phenolic grip. François and Pierre Huré farm their 10.5 hectares, spread across around forty parcels, organically, partly biodynamically, using organic compost and extensive manual work.

Pure Chardonnay, hand-harvested and pressed in vertical presses. Fermentation proceeds spontaneously with the vineyard's own yeasts, with the base wine aged 60 to 70% in used oak barrels and the remainder in stainless steel. Malolactic fermentation is blocked. Before disgorgement, the wine rests on the lees in bottle for roughly four to four and a half years.

On the nose, oyster shell, wet chalk, lemon and the mesocarp of citron, along with green apple, white blossom, beeswax and salted buttered toast. The palate opens clear, the acidity stays lively, the mousse is finely integrated, the texture creamy. These are followed by Meyer lemon and green mandarin, then Transparent apple and small green pears. Taut phenolics and a citrus bitterness reminiscent of grapefruit give contour to the extract-rich fruit over a chalky, saline minerality.

Extra Brut with 2 to 3 g/l dosage, old vines planted in 1982 and 1989, aged without bâtonnage, 12.0% Vol.