Les Terres Des Buissons Cramant Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs 2014

The Les Terres de Buisson 2014 comes from a single vineyard in Cramant at 150 metres, around three kilometres from the Domaine. The Chardonnay vines were planted in 1969. The grapes were harvested by hand and pressed in a traditional 4,000kg Coquard press. Only the juice from the first run was used for fermentation. It was fermented spontaneously in 600 litredemi–muids from Burgundy fermented and matured. Malolactic fermentation took place spontaneously after alcoholic fermentation. The ageing sur lattes lasted at least five years. The 700 or so bottles were disgorged by hand and not dosed.

Medium golden yellow with a fine mousseux

The cuvée Les Terres de Buisson Grand Cru Zéro 2014 Cramant is a full-bodied champagne, but somewhat less lush and ripe than the other single-vineyard champagnes. Nevertheless, there is yellow pome and stone fruit with oranges and grapefruit, as well as tobacco and savoury, zesty aromas. On top of this are autolysis notes reminiscent of patisserie with vanilla cream.

Despite zero dosage, there is a clear fruit and extract sweetness on the palate. The ageing in wood leaves behind aromatic traces of vanilla and cinnamon. Acidity and mousseux combine to create a foaming effect. In addition to the juicy, ripe fruit, there are savoury, bitter and zesty notes and a hint of lime and chalk.