NV J. Vignier "Silexus Sezannensis" Brut, Champagne, France
ABOUT THIS WINE
The name of this Champagne tells you exactly what it is: silex soil champagne from the CĂŽte de SĂ©zanne. This region extends south of the CĂŽte des Blancs and Nathalieâs family has been purchasing land here for several decades. The region is dominated by chardonnay grown on chalk and marl, like the more famous CĂŽte to the north. The subsoil remains Cretaceous chalk throughout the SĂ©zanne before turning to Kimmeridgian chalk as one moves toward the Aube. 4 of Vignier's 12 hectares here are in a parcel called âChatetâ near the village of Saudoy, and the soil here is silex, a flint and sand based soil mixed with chalk, marl, clay and silica. Vignierâs other parcels are in Vindey, which is pure chalk, and oak forests which they are starting to harvest for barrels. Ultimately, this wine will be fermented in these barrels from the local oak forests they own in the SĂ©zanne. The wine is vinified and aged in stainless steel until bottling in May following harvest before spending a minimum of 84 months en tirage prior to disrogement.
ABOUT THIS PRODUCER
J. Vignier is one of Champagne's most exciting modern grower-producers, though its roots stretch back centuries. Based in the Grand Cru village of Cramant in the CĂŽte des Blancs, the estate is led by Nathalie Vignier, a tenth-generation member of her family's winemaking lineage, working alongside German-born vigneron Sebastian Nickel. Together they have transformed part of the family estate into a small, terroir-focused project dedicated almost exclusively to Chardonnay.
Vignierâs holdings are now in the Grand Cru Villages of Cramant, Chouilly and Oiry, as well as some parcels in the CĂŽte de SĂ©zanne. Nathalie first worked as an insurance adjuster for wineries in Burgundy and Champagne and was called home to take over the estate by her father. She is slowly aligning the estate to her philosophy: higher ripeness, a return of oak to the cellar and no use of herbicides or pesticides. The Vignier family motto is âLa bontĂ© de lâesprit et la grandeur de courage,â which means âthe goodness in spirit, and the courage to greatness.â There is a lot to look forward to from this grower in the future.
Description
ABOUT THIS WINE
The name of this Champagne tells you exactly what it is: silex soil champagne from the CĂŽte de SĂ©zanne. This region extends south of the CĂŽte des Blancs and Nathalieâs family has been purchasing land here for several decades. The region is dominated by chardonnay grown on chalk and marl, like the more famous CĂŽte to the north. The subsoil remains Cretaceous chalk throughout the SĂ©zanne before turning to Kimmeridgian chalk as one moves toward the Aube. 4 of Vignier's 12 hectares here are in a parcel called âChatetâ near the village of Saudoy, and the soil here is silex, a flint and sand based soil mixed with chalk, marl, clay and silica. Vignierâs other parcels are in Vindey, which is pure chalk, and oak forests which they are starting to harvest for barrels. Ultimately, this wine will be fermented in these barrels from the local oak forests they own in the SĂ©zanne. The wine is vinified and aged in stainless steel until bottling in May following harvest before spending a minimum of 84 months en tirage prior to disrogement.
ABOUT THIS PRODUCER
J. Vignier is one of Champagne's most exciting modern grower-producers, though its roots stretch back centuries. Based in the Grand Cru village of Cramant in the CĂŽte des Blancs, the estate is led by Nathalie Vignier, a tenth-generation member of her family's winemaking lineage, working alongside German-born vigneron Sebastian Nickel. Together they have transformed part of the family estate into a small, terroir-focused project dedicated almost exclusively to Chardonnay.
Vignierâs holdings are now in the Grand Cru Villages of Cramant, Chouilly and Oiry, as well as some parcels in the CĂŽte de SĂ©zanne. Nathalie first worked as an insurance adjuster for wineries in Burgundy and Champagne and was called home to take over the estate by her father. She is slowly aligning the estate to her philosophy: higher ripeness, a return of oak to the cellar and no use of herbicides or pesticides. The Vignier family motto is âLa bontĂ© de lâesprit et la grandeur de courage,â which means âthe goodness in spirit, and the courage to greatness.â There is a lot to look forward to from this grower in the future.
