Tellier Las Massalles Extra Brut Champagne 2021
IMPORTER NOTES:
TASTING: “With a golden hue tinged with pink, this wine displays a very fine persistent bead. The nose initially shows notes of plum, almond & dried floral aromas. As the wine gently opens, it shows notes of bread & butter, confirming the patient cellar aging on its lees. With more air the aromatics evolve revealing exquisite baked apple, marzipan and quince aromas. On the palate, it is petulant, refreshing and lively effervescent. Crisp, bracing acidity provides the backbone that gently supports overall warmth in the mouth where the dosage is in perfectly harmony with the taught citrus-tinged freshness.”
BLEND: 55% Chardonnay, 25% Pinot Meunier, 20% Pinot Noir
DOSAGE: 5g/L
DISGORGED: January 2023.
VINEYARDS: Produced from grapes grown in the villages of Moussy, Pierry & Chavot-Courcourt. Terroir consists of medium deep clay covering bedrock of 60% chalky limestone & 40% flint (silex).
ABOUT THE PRODUCER: “Quentin & Alexandre Tellier are emblematic of the new wave of young vignerons in Champagne taking the helm of their family estate. They are transforming the model of the family business from the traditional focus of growing grapes for large brand producers to one more terroir based, or as the Tellier’s prefer to call it, Vigneron Paysan (Peasant Winegrower). Located in the Côteaux sud d’Epernay in the village of Moussy, their vineyard parcels are located primarily in two zones with different soil profiles and thus different varietals. Moussy is just down the hill from Chavot, where Aurélien Laherte is based and who tipped us off to Tellier’s estate. Moussy & Pierry are Pinot Meunier dominant villages with (59%) followed by Chardonnay (35%) and Pinot Noir (6%). This area possesses a deeper surface of clay laid on top of the classic chalky limestone bedrock, which provides more structure, power and length to the resulting wines. Chavot, Fontaine-sur-Ay & Cramant are villages where Chardonnay is king due to the relatively shallow clay surface over a similar chalky limestone bedrock. This produces wines that show more elegance and high-toned mineral components that are common in the great wines of the Côte des Blancs.”