Ruppert-Leroy "Fosse Grely"

Grapes: Chardonnay + Pinot Noir

Region: Cote des Bar, Champagne, France

Vintage: 2017

Viticulture: Biodynamic

Soils: Clay + Limestone

Yeasts: Native

Vinification: Direct press, then fermented in tanks. 9 months of élevage on fine lees take place in 225L barrels and 500L demi-muids.

Aging: 18-20 months sur-lie in bottle, disgorged à la volée, and bottled without any liqueur de tirage (Brut Nature) or added SO2

Fining or Filtering: Disgorged

Dosage: 0 g/l

Sulfur: None added

Notes from the Importer: Fosse-Grely is a sélection massale planting of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay at the bottom of the hill in Essoyes. Fosse means ditch, and Grely is an old local word that means gravel. Fosse-Grely is the largest parcel at the domaine, and was the first one planted by Bénédicte's father, Gérard, in the 1980s. In addition to their vineyards, Ruppert-Leroy operates a biodynamically-certified farm where they grow their own vegetables, raise animals, produce their own composts / biodynamic preparations, and host conferences on biodynamics.