Cuvée "Soléra" Brut Nature 1500ml Magnum

A vinous Champagne that draws its depth from the interplay of young and long-aged material. Brut Nature here means zero grams of residual sugar, no dosage. What ends up in the glass comes solely from grape, barrel and yeast.

Les Riceys is the only village in Champagne permitted to produce three appellations: Champagne, still wine and Rosé des Riceys. The Horiot family has grown vines there since the 17th century. Olivier Horiot took over his father Serge's estate in 1999 and immediately converted to organic farming; the estate has worked biodynamically since 2010. The soils over Kimmeridgian chalk are ploughed with horses, and synthetic inputs are excluded entirely. Each plot is harvested and vinified separately.

The cuvée draws on the seven grape varieties permitted in Champagne, including Chardonnay, Petit Meslier and the near-extinct Arbane. It is based on a solera system in which old and young vintages are continuously blended; the oldest barrel dates from 2007. Fermentation is spontaneous, with wild yeasts, in used barriques, without filtration, without fining, with minimal sulphur. 12.0% vol.

Dried apricot, candied lemon peel and brioche, alongside hazelnut and white pepper. The acidity stays taut, the finish chalky and saline.

Oysters, sole and cured salmon, as well as smoked fish, Comté, young Parmesan or mushroom dishes with truffle.

All the estate's wines are bottled without dosage. Marie Horiot runs the cellar, and Olivier Horiot is a member of the winegrowers' association Terres et Vins. Magnum format, 1500 ml.