The Premier Cru Or Brut is from vineyards around the villages of Hautvillers, Dizy and Mareuil-sur-Aÿ. The vineyard soils are composed of clay and limestone on belemnita quadrata chalk. This chalk variety stores and radiates solar heat, maximizes drainage of excess water and retains humidity in summer. It stores the principal minerals that give the grapes their high ester content.
The density is 8,300 to 10,000 vines per hectare, pruned according to Chablis and Cordon de Royat methods. Grapes are harvested by hand in September, transported in vented crates to hydraulic presses of 4,000 kg.
Vinification is done by parcel following a static settling of 15 to 20 hours. Alcoholic and malolactic fermentation, tartaric stabilization are carried in small-volume, temperature-controlled tanks. The wine is bottled 4-7 months after harvest after aging on lees for a minimum of 7 years.
2009 is an en elegant vintage. Golden yellow hue with a hint of green, and a fine mousse. The nose is fresh, elegant, and floral. The palate too is fresh, and balanced, with hazelnut and quince paste on the long finish.