Domaine Nowack, Cru d’Origine 'Les Riceys' Extra Brut 2015

100% Pinot Noir

Cotes de Bar, Champagne, France

This bottling from a single parcel in Les Riceys in the Cotes de Bar represents Nowack’s curiosity about other terroirs outside of his particular home of Vandières. This vineyard was planted in 1980 and 1985 on a southern exposure at 280 meters on marnes franches (clay/calcaire soils very close to the surface covered by only a little soil). Vinification is with fully spontaneous/natural yeasts. Base wine is unfined and unfiltered w/no cold filtration; secondary fermentation is triggered with natural grape must. Aging is done in small oak barrels. Disgorged after 60 months on the lees. No dosage but residual sugars of 3.4 g/l.

Flavien Nowack is an 8th generation grower and visionary winemaker working in his home village of Vandières. His 10 hectares (~25 acres) of vineyards are farmed organically and biodynamically, with a focus on restoring biodiversity through trees, cover crops, and a variety of wildlife. These bubbles are fermented naturally with minimal sulfur, extended aging in oak, and often five years or more under cork/capsule before release. The result is elegant, fresh, mineral, textured, and delicate Champagne. Nowack stands out in our Champagne selection for being drier/leaner than most!