2018 Benoit Lahaye Champagne Grand Cru Brut Nature Le Jardin de la Grosse Pierre

A rare field blend of Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay, Arbanne, Chasselas, Petit Meslier, Gros Plant, Teinturier and other varieties, from a single parcel (called Le Jardin de la Grosse Pierre) on brown chalky soil in Bouzy Grand Cru. The oldest vines here were planted in 1923 by Benoît’s great-grandfather, who later replaced some dead vines with other varieties, mostly unknown or forgotten. Until 2009, the wine made from this parcel was blended with wine from other parcels, but after tasting it separately, Benoît recognized its unique character and decided to make a special cuvée from it. Depending on the vintage, it is aged for under a year in old 225-liter barrels, bottled without filtration, then kept an extra 2 years or so in bottle before release. Zero dosage. 100 cases made.