Champagne Deutz 'Brut Millésimé', Aÿ, Champagne, France 2018

Founded in 1838 in Aÿ, Champagne Deutz is known for its refined, quietly powerful house style built on precision, balance, and consistency. Working with a network of long-term growers alongside estate vineyards, Deutz sources predominantly Premier and Grand Cru fruit across Champagne’s top villages. The Brut Millésimé is a vintage expression of the house style—structured, elegant, and driven by site and season, with the exceptional 2018 vintage delivering both richness and freshness.

• WINEMAKER: Michel Davesne, with cellar team
• FARMING: HVE3 Certified, transitioning to Organic
• VARIETY: 67% Pinot Noir, 33% Chardonnay
• TERROIR: Pinot Noir from Grand Cru villages Aÿ (29%), Ambonnay (20%), and Bouzy (18%) in the Montagne de Reims, with Chardonnay from Avize in the Côte des Blancs. Chalk and limestone soils provide structure, minerality, and precision.
• VINIFICATION: Parcels are vinified separately in stainless steel. Alcoholic and malolactic fermentations are completed prior to blending, with a focus on preserving clarity and balance. The final assemblage highlights Pinot Noir’s depth alongside Chardonnay’s lift and tension.
• AGING: Aged approximately 60 months on the lees, followed by additional time after disgorgement. Dosage around 6 g/L.
• TASTING NOTES: Expressive and polished, showing ripe stone fruits—mirabelle, apricot—alongside subtle citrus and lightly toasted notes from extended lees aging. The palate is supple yet precise, with fine mousse, a mineral edge, and a long, balanced finish.
• FOOD PAIRINGS: Ideal with oysters, sushi, roasted fish, veal, or poultry in cream sauce.
• SCORES: 93 pts – James Suckling