Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Champagne, France

A Champagne local and boundary-pushing vigneron, Charles Dufour converted his 6 hectare farm to organic practices in 2013, while also adopting biodynamic preparations in the vineyard to stave off any superfluous chemical additions. This wine comes from his organic vineyard in Landreville, a village in Champagne’s southern (and very ~of the moment ~) Côte des Bar. Classic kimmeridgian chalk soils mingle with heavier clay marls to create an electric intermingling of poise & lustre that we don’t often get, even from Champagne. A blend of infallible Pinot Noir (60%), sumptuous Chardonnay (30%), and sultry Pinot Blanc (10%). A time-travelling love potion of natty wine proportions, 80% of the wine comes from the 2018 vintage, with the remaining 20% coming from vintages as far back as 2010! Fermenting between old barrels and stainless steel, everything was allowed to go through malolactic fermentation, PLUS 15 months in bottle on its lees – giving round & textured yellow-brick-road-to-see-the-wizard realness. Heady spiced peaches, hay, red apple shreds, a sourdough eclair stuffed with almond cream, smoked vanilla & chalky mineral stripes. Fun fact: we received this wine about this time last year and have cellared it since then to release it at its peak. Pour while contemplating how every snowflake IS in fact unique & the eventual realization that Mother Nature is the greatest artist of all time.