Etienne Calsac Champagne 'Clos des Maladries' Avize Grand Cru 2021 750ml

Organic. 100% Chardonnay. Clos des Maladries is a Grand Cru, .16ha vineyard parcel in Avize, the vines planted in the early ’70s by Étienne's grandfather. ‘Maladries’ is the name of a medieval hospital housing contagious patients; one was located on the vineyard site centuries ago. The soil here is pure chalk of a prized type called belemnite, which is thought to impart greater minerality and acidity. The exposure is due south; the walls of the clos also retain heat, aiding in ripening. The vineyard is planted at a high density. After harvesting with manual sorting in the vineyard, the grapes are pressed—as an homage to the old way of making Champagne, everything is included at press rather than just the ‘coeur de cuvée’ as in his other wines. One third of the juice is transferred to a neutral 350L barrel; the rest is kept in stainless. After fermentation the wines are kept on lees in those same vessels without racking for seven months. Both portions go through malolactic fermentation. The wine stays on the lees for 48 months before disgorging in Feb of ‘25. Vintage 2021. Dosage is 2 g/L; 1000 bottles produced.