Argilité, Brut Nature 2015

Wine Description for Argilité Brut Nature 2015 by Tarlant

Colour & Appearance

Luminous, pale golden yellow with a fine, precise mousse – clear and of striking elegance in the glass.

Nose

The nose opens with the unmistakable aroma of petrichor – damp stone after the first rain. Then green and yellow citrus fruits unfold, crushed limestone, wild herbs and a hint of smoke. With air, chamomile, hemp as well as apple and orange peel emerge – complex, distinctive, unmistakable.

Palate

On the palate, the Champagne reveals its most impressive side: the ripe, charming fruit of Meunier meets citric freshness and an almost tactile, mineral tension. The texture is the true heart of this Champagne – dense, creamy yet taut, with a depth and grip that immediately recalls the amphora ageing.

Finish

Long, precise and characterised by a creamy-citric note that fades into a dry, mineral aftertaste. No dosage, no compromises – the finish is purist and forthright.

Terroir & Origin

The single vineyard site Notre Dame in Celles-lès-Condé in the Marne Valley lies at 120 metres elevation with a 20% south-facing slope – a vineyard shaped by the confluence of the Surmelin and Dhuys rivers. The soil consists of hard Lutetian limestone (Paris Basin) with clay content – the name „Argilité“ is programme. The vines, planted in 1987 by mass selection, are cultivated with minimal soil disturbance, natural ground cover and gentle pruning according to the Poussard method.

Grape Variety & Vinification

A cuvée of 50% Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier each. Harvested on 16 September 2015, gently gravity-pressed and spontaneously fermented – exclusively in terracotta amphoras following Georgian tradition. Ten months ageing on fine lees, no malolactic fermentation, no filtration, no fining. Bottled in July 2016, five years on the lees in bottle, disgorged in July 2021. Dosage: 0 g/L – Brut Nature. Limited edition: 900 bottles.

Food Pairing Suggestions

A Champagne that demands substantial food: sea bass fillet in herb crust with clams and citrus fruits, sole in fig leaves with fresh figs or – for the adventurous – pheasant with chard confit and toasted bread.

Special Features

The Argilité is a radical statement: amphora Champagne from a single vineyard site, without dosage, without filtration – crafted at the highest level and in a tiny limited edition of just 900 bottles. Tarlant proves that Champagne is far more than a style – it is a terroir expression of rare clarity.