La Haute Cirriére Extra Brut 2020

Austere, deep and distinctive. Waxed lemon peel and candied orange meet yellow plum, green quince and a darker shade of blueberry, joined by meringue, almond blossom and tea rose, nutmeg, cinnamon and graphite. A touch of porcini lends the bouquet an earthy dimension. With air, the floral and fruity notes come forward more strongly, while the herbal, spicy foundation remains dominant.

Vincelles lies on the southern bank of the Marne, about 20 kilometres west of Épernay. There, Jérôme Blin farms six hectares according to biodynamic principles: the two Comtois draft horses Naya and Quartz plough the vineyards, while the sheep Chouquette keeps the grass short. The family has been growing vines on this site since 1671, and the conversion to organic farming began in 2012. La Haute Cirrière comprises the estate's highest parcels, where the roughly 50-year-old vines root in clay-silty limestone marl.

The blend is composed of 50 percent Pinot Meunier and 50 percent Pinot Noir from the vineyard of the same name, entirely from the 2020 vintage. Each parcel is vinified separately, fermentation happens spontaneously with wild yeasts, and ageing takes place in stainless steel. Tirage took place in March 2021, disgorgement in February 2025, with a dosage in the extra-brut range.

Linear, dry and taut. Yellow fruit, pink grapefruit and a slightly waxy citrus note combine with blueberry, sweet woodruff and white tea. Salt, an agile minerality and fine, sandy tannins add grip and contour. The perlage feels lively rather than fine, but pressure and structural tension carry it. The Champagne stays airy while gaining earthy depth and precision.

Only 658 bottles of this single-vineyard Champagne were produced, 12.0% ABV.