Dhondt-Grellet Extra Brut Cramant Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs (2020)

The Land

This Champagne comes from the heart of Cramant, a Grand Cru village known for its top-tier Chardonnay. Dhondt-Grellet uses two special spots: Les Longues Verges, which gives a deep and concentrated wine from its early ripening location, and La Garenne, a sandy plot that was once a village garden. These vineyards are on chalk and limestone soils and are farmed with the idea of ‘peasant viticulture’ and organic/biodynamic principles, without seeking certification. There's no pesticides here, just homemade compost and even a horse named Thor doing the plowing. It's all about a healthy balance between the vines and the land.

The Wine

The Dhondt-Grellet Extra Brut Cramant is a pure expression of Chardonnay from a great village. It's all about elegance and precision with a dosage between 3 and 4 g/l. Expect a clean, bright citrus character, with notes of lemon and green apple, and hints of chalk. The texture is silky smooth with a fine mousse, and a long, mineral finish that speaks to the special terroir. It’s aged on the lees for eight months after fermentation in stainless steel tank, without fining, filtering or cold stabilization, giving it complexity and depth. It's a vibrant and lively sparkling wine that shows the true potential of Cramant.

The People

Dhondt-Grellet is a family affair, with Eric and Edith starting the domaine back in 1986, and now Adrien taking the lead and doing some very impressive things. He's joined by his sister Alice, and they are all about showcasing pure expressions of their holdings in Cuis and Cramant. Adrien's been inspired by great Burgundy estates in texture and vinosity and has an ambitious vision with no signs of slowing down. The Dhondt family has worked with a perpetual reserve since they began estate bottling, making the wines complex and textured. It’s a domaine that honors tradition while embracing innovation and a genuine passion for crafting honest wines.