NV Benoît Dehu Brut Nature Blanc de Noirs 'Initiation' (2021 base)

Benoit is an 8th generation winemaker who studied at Champagne Bollinger before returning to his family's pre-French Revolution (est. 1787) estate on the western edge of the Vallée de la Marne. He has turned the farming towards natural/biodynamic methods, and strives to elevate the Pinot Meunier grape. He favors oak barrels in the cellar - mostly sourced from the nearby Fossoy forest. 'Cuvee Initiation" is a blanc de noirs sourced entirely from 2019 vintage but released as a NV. disgorged April 2022. Blend of two parcels: Meunier from La Rue des Noyers (clay limestone), Pinot Noir from a small parcel at the bottom of the hill which Benoît planted using massale selection of Pommard clones from Burgundy (clay sand). Cepage is 77% Pinot Meunier and the rest is Pinot noir, practicing organic & biodynamic, hand harvested, base wine was matured 10 months on lees in 228L oak barrels before bottling and secondary fermentation lasts 24-30 months, no malo, unfined unfiltered, no dosage.