Dhondt-Grellet Champagne Grand Cru 'Vieille Vigne Le Bateau' 2018
IN STOCK
$355.00
In 1986, Eric Dhondt and Edith Grellet decided to stop selling off grapes to negociants and started Dhondt-Grellet. Their focus on farming translated into honest Champagnes from great holdings across the Côte des Blancs.
Starting with two hectares, the domaine has now tripled in size and starting gaining real attention when Adrien took over winemaking in 2012 at age 22. Today, joined by his sister Alice, he has slowly increased the range of Champagnes produced by isolating their holdings across the villages of Cramant and Cuis and bottling pure expressions of Chardonnay. Most recently, he launched a small negociant project to satisfy his curiosity outside of his own domaine’s style.
Adrien has an ambitious vision with no signs of slowing down and we couldn’t be more excited about the direction of this young domaine.
Le Bateau is considered one of the best lieu-dits of Cramant and Adrien's vines planted there are the oldest of the estate. The vineyard was planted in 1951 by Adrien's great-grandfather and follows the contours of the slope, some 70% southern exposure, the rest to the north.
It is made entirely in oak with only with indigenous yeasts. It spends 8 months on lees in barrel. There is no filtration, fining, or cold stabilization. He leaves it to age in his cellar for 3-4 years and one additional year on cork after disgorgement. Dosage is less than 3g/L but in past vintages has been zero dosage.
"Disgorged in February 2023 with only half a gram per liter dosage, Dhondt's 2018 Extra-Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Le Bateau Vieille Vigne is a remarkable achievement in this vintage. Unwinding in the glass with a deep bouquet of pear, hazelnuts, waxy citrus fruits, buttery pastry and macadamia nuts, it's full-bodied, deep and layered, with striking concentration and texture, its ample core of fruit framed by lively acids and chalky structuring extract. Vinous and complex, it will offer a broad drinking window" - 96 Points, Wine Advocate
Producer: Dhondt-Grellet
Country: France
Region: Champagne
Varietal: Chardonnay
Appellation: Champagne Grand Cru
Vintage: 2018
Size: 750ml