This cuvée hails from the Côte des Bar in the Aube department, at the southern end of the appellation, home to the stronghold of the Dufour family. This sector enjoys a more continental climate and clay-limestone, Kimmeridgian soils akin to those of Chablis, lending the wines precision, frankness and a saline edge. The vines, cultivated on gently sloping, well-exposed hillsides, achieve optimal ripeness while retaining freshness and energy. Harvesting is done by hand with a rigorous bunch selection directly in the vineyard. Alcoholic fermentation then takes place in vats and old casks. Malolactic fermentation occurs spontaneously, without intervention. Ageing lasts around ten months in seasoned oak on full lees, without racking, in order to preserve both substance and complexity.
This Champagne reveals a bright, straw-yellow hue, enlivened by a fine and persistent effervescence. The nose is distinctive and expressive, combining ripe white fruits such as apple and pear with floral notes of vine blossom and elderflower, a touch of citrus zest and pastry-like nuances of brioche and fresh almond. On the palate, the wine is lively and crisp, driven by a pronounced chalky minerality.