Yann Alexandre "Blanches Terres" Champagne Brut Rosé NV

Yann Alexandre is the 8th generation to grow vines in Champagne, and the 3rd generation to produce wine there. He has 6.3 ha in the village of Courmas, 10 km southwest of Reims, known as the Petite Montagne de Reims. In total they work with 28 plots of vines in 9 villages total (Courmas being the majority). He works with a total of 55% Meunier, 30% Chardonnay and 15% Pinot Noir, with vines averaging 25 years old, and majority are SW facing. Both Yann and his wife Séverine have a background in horticulture, looking for biodiversity in the soil and a high level of vitality in their wines. They have worked very hard to make “as natural a Champagne as possible,” made from vital grapes, with minimal added sulfites, up to seven years lees aging, hand riddling and disgorgement, and “no detail left to chance.” This is a high bar for two farmers working 6.3 hectares spread over 28 plots in nine villages. But is also essential to their philosophy, and have nurtured their soils back to good health, after years of being riddled with chemicals. This rosé is a composition of Chardonnay from the lieu-dit Les Blanches Terres in Coulommes-la-Montagne and Pinot Noir from the lieu-dit Saint Lié in the village Villedommange. 92% of the final blend is Chardonnay, which is primarily fermented in stainless steel where it is allowed to go through full malolactic conversion, while 15% is vinified in oak without malolactic. The wine is aged approximately 4 months in stainless and blended with 15% reserve wine before it is combined with a final 8% Pinot Noir red wine. The wine then spends a minimum of 48 months en tirage before digorgement.