Stephane Regnault - Champagne 'Chromatique' Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Extra Brut NV

Stéphane Regnault—the aerospace-engineer-turned-sommelier who returned to his hometown Le Mesnil and became the first generation to vinify at his family’s domaine.

Regnault’s four hectares of Chardonnay are divided between a few highly-celebrated chalky terroirs in Le Mesnil, as well as the Grand Cru village Oger. Regnault takes a modern approach to the new estate wines at this domaine, identifying three specific lieu-dits to bottle separately: Chemin de Flavigny in Oger, Moulin on the border between Oger and Le Mesnil, and Hautes-Mottes in Le Mesnil.

Since Stéphane returned home in 2007, the property was converted to organic farming, having been certified organic in 2020. Regnault now uses a number of biodynamic preparations as well: he mentions he’s interested in practices that allow for ‘respect of the soil and living things—an ecosystem is a whole of which the vine is only a part!

The ‘Chromatique’ cuvée is taken from bits and pieces of all of the sites with which Regnault works, to give a ‘chromatic’ representation of the terroir—one that, as in the musical term, ‘uses all the notes.’ Included are vines from Le Mesnil, toward the bottoms of very chalky slopes, and some from Oger, where the soils are richer. Base vintage 2019: 30% of the cuvée was fermented and raised in wood; 30% in steel; 40% is reserve wine (taken from vintages 2014 - 2018). Dosage 2g/L. Bottled July 2020, disgorged July 2022.

White floral notes, wet stone minerality, and a waft of fresh green grass.  Fresh and mineral-driven with flavors of chalk dust, lemon citrus, stone fruits like peach, and sourdough bread. It has a linear structure, great acidity, and a bright, lingering finish.

Type: Sparkling
Producer: Stephane Regnault 
Varietal:  Chardonnay
Country: France
Region: Champagne
Farming: Organic