Etienne Calsac, 'Rose de Craie' Champagne R21

90% Chardonnay, 10% Pinot Noir

Base vintage 2021

Côte des Blancs, Côte de Sézanne, Grande Vallée de la Marne

Soft pink with fine, persistent mousse. Fine biscuity notes with minerality, subtle cherry, plum, and red apple. A rosé d’assemblage; Pinot Noir verjus is added to the base wine of his cuvee l’Échappée Belle before bottling. 18 to 24 months bottle aging. Extra brut dosage 3g/L. 

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.