Lot presentation

Blanc de Noirs Les Crayères du Levant Aurélien Lurquin 2018

The wine

Les Crayères du Levant comes from a namesake parcel in Romery, at the heart of the Vallée de la Marne. This clay-limestone terroir, rich in chalk and minerals, lends the wine exceptional finesse and a striking chalky minerality. The parcel’s east-facing exposure offers the perfect conditions to attain optimal ripeness. Manual harvests are conducted at full maturity, with a strict selection of the best fruit. Alcoholic fermentation takes place partly in concrete vats and partly in oak barriques, allowing for gentle vinification and a subtle oak integration. The wine is then aged for several months on fine lees, with no added sugar or dosage.
The wine displays a bright, pale yellow hue with silvery highlights, typical of its youthful elegance. The nose is refined and complex, opening with white fruits such as peach and pear, joined by white flowers, fresh brioche and a chalky mineral touch. On the palate, the attack is lively and fresh, driven by vibrant acidity tension. The mid-palate is ample and well-structured, offering flavours of ripe fruit and hints of hazelnut, leading to a long, mineral finish.

About the Producer Aurélien Lurquin

Aurélien Lurquin. A name still very much under the radar, yet increasingly recognised among discerning enthusiasts seeking wines that respect both grape and soil. Based in Romery, in the Vallée de la Marne, the winemaker’s estate is modest in size, covering just 2.3 hectares. Quality clearly takes precedence over quantity. His work draws together?–?with talent and conviction?–?the vitality of the vines, the mineral pulse of the land and the life forces unique to each terroir. The result? Emotionally engaging wines with real presence and poise.
Barely 2,000 bottles of both still and sparkling wines are produced each year, crafted from iconic Champagne varieties: predominantly Pinot Noir (40%), followed by Chardonnay (35%), Pinot Meunier (24%) and the rare Petit Meslier (1%). Part of his production is also sold to trade. If you have yet to discover these wines, don’t wait too long! This confidential estate has already caused quite a stir at auction, fetching some truly sky-high prices!
Aurélien is also a member of the association “Des pieds et des vins”, which aims to highlight terroir-driven Champagnes produced in the same thoughtful spirit as those of Sélosse, Lahaye, Vouette, Agrapart and Sorbée.