Emmanuel Brochet 'Les Hauts Meuniers' Premier Cru Extra Brut 2015

Emmanuel Brochet took over his family vines back in 1997 in Villers-aux-Noeuds, which is just a few kilometers southwest of Reims. He farms roughly 2.5 hectares there all from a single vineyard known as Le Mont Benoit. You can see the exact location of the vineyard here: https://weinlagen-info.de/#lage_id=6947.

When looking at the vineyard on the map you may be dismayed by the proximity to the freeway which is literally a stones throw from the vineyard, but bear in mind that this is absolutely top Champagne soil. The vineyard is known for having extremely little topsoil - only about 40 centimeters and then pure chalk.

According to Champagne expert Peter Liem, Emmanuel's champagnes are some of the most exciting to come from the sub-area of ​​Montagne de Reims known as the Petite Montagne. His production is also very "petite" of only 10,000 bottles in total each year.

This wine is his 'Les Hauts Meuniers', which hints at the origins of the wine. This is a pure Pinot Meunier Champagne. The main region of Montagne de Reims is mostly known for Pinot Noir and to some degree Chardonnay, but the Petite Montagne is mostly Pinot Meunier with around 60% of hectares attributed to this species.

The 2015 vintage although not an as stellar vintage as 2002, 2008 and 2012 is still noted for being one of the vintages since 2003 with the lowest acid levels, so you can expect big voluptuous Champagne's from this vintage. Despite the low acid levels ageability is still expected to be good.