Bérêche Champagne AOC Aÿ Grand Cru Extra Brut 2016

Raphaël and Vincent Bérêche are the  innovators behind this old family domaine founded in 1847. The fifth generation to head the estate (Raphaël joined his father in 2004), they are unceasingly curious and meticulous, garnering immense attention in France and worldwide. The estate's vineyards are planted with roughly equal parts of chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier. They have been turning their attention to organic viticulture, having completely stopped using chemical herbicides in 2003, and converting to biodynamic since 2007. They have slowly been increasing the percentage of oak used in the cellar, and today about three-quarters of the production is vinified in barrel. Disgorging is still done entirely by hand, with a traditional liqueur for dosage. The ‘Aÿ Grand Cru’ cuvée is a blend of 75% pinot noir and 25% chardonnay sourced from the chalk-rich Grand Cru vineyards of Aÿ in the Grande Vallée de la Marne, in particular the parcels of ‘Froide Terre’ and ‘Brise Pot’, which each have vines over a half century old. A vibrant, focused quaff, this practically shimmers on the palate, with energetic layers of crushed limestone, slick slate, delicate white flowers, and a whiff of mint and white pepper. Pristine minerality supports a finish that goes on and on. Biodynamically grown, sustainably grown, vegan.