Chartogne-Taillet Hors-Serie Grand Cru Extra Brut AOC

The Champagne house Chartogne-Taillet, located in Montagne de Reims in the village of Merfy, has a history dating back to the 15th century and remains family-owned to this day. The Merfy vineyards are divided into 13 separate plots characterized by a combination of clay and sandy soils. Alexandre Chartogne is a representative of a special dynasty of Champagne grape growers, known for their meticulous and pedantic approach to vine cultivation. Being the only récoltant in the commune of Merfy, Alexandre set himself the ambitious task of restoring the former glory of one of the most unusual and yet underrated terroirs of Champagne. Part of his invaluable knowledge was borrowed from the legendary Anselme Selosse, whom he refers to as my wine father. Numerous experiments with various fermentation and aging vessels, including concrete eggs and clay amphorae, are just a few steps Alexandre has taken on his path to establishing his own style. A key element of this récoltant's philosophy is the priority of soil and place over grape variety. Any Champagne grape grown on the unique soils of Merfy yields riper and rounder wines, and the use of oak barrels for aging base wines before assemblage (a signature method of Alexandre Chartogne) only emphasizes the solid texture of local masterpieces.