Les Rachais: Blanc de Blancs Extra-Brut
These are the first grapes from the section of our vineyards which are being converted to B-organic (natural cultivation without herbicide or chemicals).
CRUS
Mailly-Champagne - Grand Cru (classed growth: 100%).
VINEYARDS
The Massif de Saint-Thierry, to the North-East of the Montagne de Reims.
VARIETALS
The white grape variety Chardonnay only (Blanc de Blancs is a white wine made only from white grapes). Specially selected Chardonnay originally from Burgundy.
SOIL TYPE
Flint bearing chalk.
ROOTSTOCKS
Average age of Vines: 40 years (planted 1967).
PRUNING
Short, Chablis system.
CULTIVATION
Natural, ecological and organic (B-dynamic). Without herbicides. No synthetic fungicide. The grassing is controlled by light ploughing and scarification in season.
HARVESTING
Manual on a "fruit day" (according to the lunar calendar used in the old days by gardeners and also by adherent of Bio-dynamic methods). "Late" harvesting to obtain optimum ripeness, a naturally raised alcohol level and to let the aromas blossom.
PRESSING
4000 kg pneumatic press to give a refined and delicate choice of juice.
VINIFICATION
Natural and indigenous yeasts.
Alcoholic and malolactic fermentations carried out in small oak barrels used 6 times previously.
Lees are beaten up into the wine, depending upon the character of the vintage, every 10 to 12 days.
Neither fined not filtered.
Bottled on a "fruit day" (even if the careful and meticulous work which we carry out in the vines throughout the year is indubitably more important than merely harvesting and bottling at the right time moment in the lunar cycle).
DOSAGES
Extra-Brut, dosage: 2g/litre (harvest 2002).
BLENDING
Wine entirely from the year concerned. No blending with aged reserve wines.
TASTING NOTES
Colour: Bright, brilliant deep straw gold.
Nose: expressive with blossoming elegant fruit.
Mouth: Frank, integrated fruits, balanced, fresh and supple.
SERVING TEMPERATURE
12°C. (54°F)
MARRIAGE WITH FOOD
Splendid aperitif wine. Lobster or Dublin Bay prawns with a curry sauce, noble fish either sauced or not.