Les Chétillons Grand Cru Pierre Péters 2016

Pierre Péters, one of Champagne’s most renowned growers, produces mostly Blanc de Blancs champagnes, which are rated as some of the finest produced in the region. The Domaine is based in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger consisting of 82 plots over nearly 20 hectares of sustainably-managed vineyards, sixteen of which lie within the Côte des Blancs, primarily in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, as well as the other prized villages of Avize, Cramant, Oger and Vertus. Sixth-generation owner, Rodolphe Péters took over the running of the family estate from his father, François in 2008, having been involved in the assemblage since 2000. He initiated the house’s ‘perpetual reserve’ of reserve wines in the late 1990s. A graduate in oenology and business, Rodolphe believes that “a good winemaker must listen to his raw materials,” practising minimal intervention both the winery and the vineyards. Les Chetillons is a small area that lies on an east-northeast facing hillside in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger. Each of the three parcels from ‘Les Chetillons’ was vinified separately. The wines were fermented in stainless steel and remained in tank on their lees (with regular tastings) until the assemblage. The bottles of ‘Les Chetillons’ are turned by hand using the traditional riddling method. Weather: The 2016 vintage was not without its challenges. There was frost in late spring and very low temperatures in the vineyards, followed by a wet May, June and July, which increased the threat of disease. Thankfully August was warm and dry, which saved the crop, and harvest began on schedule in September. Fruit-forward, lush wines with vibrant acidity.