Etienne Calsac, 'L’Echappee Belle' Blanc de Blancs

100% Chardonnay 

Cote des Blancs, Cote de Sezanne, Grande Vallée de la Marne - Champagne

25% oak, 75% stainless steel vats. No fining or filtering, VEGAN. 38mg/L sulfur added at press. 18-24 months of lees aging. Extra brut 2g/l dosage. Beginning in 2011, Etienne has kept a perpetual reserve just for this cuvée, and 30% of the final blend of 'L’Echappée Belle' is produced with reserve wine.

In 2010, at the age of 26, Etienne Calsac decided to take control of his grandparents’ three hectares of vineyards scattered in and around Avize, which had previously been rented out to the grandes maisons. Chez Calsac, stewardship of the terroir is the basis for great Champagne, so Etienne set out to ensure that all the vineyards are planted with grass cover crops, plowed, and transitioned to organic farming. Etienne himself had worked several vintages helping with press before starting his own domaine, and he decided to maintain the same strict quality controls, as well as add a few personal touches inspired by tastings and conversations with other young vignerons. With dynamic releases and impactful quality, the potential of the domaine is unlimited, though the highly sought-after wines are not.