Barrat Masson Champagne Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut Fleur de Craie

Barrat-Masson is a very small Champagne house tucked away in the rolling, chalky hills of the Côte de Sézanne region. Founded by husband-and-wife team Aurélie Barrat and Loïc Masson, they farm just seven hectares of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vines inherited from Loïc’s family. Aurélie and Loïc love authenticity: they renovated the old buildings of the family farm to install a wine press, a vat room, and cellars. And he has been meticulously converting his cherished vineyard to organic farming over the course of the last decade. While Loïc concentrates on the grape growing, Aurélie studied oenology and her able hands take over the reins once the fruit arrives to the cellar. Fleur de Craie, French for “Chalk Flower,” comes from one tiny parcel in Bethon where the soil is very chalky, which is ideal for fostering the flinty minerality of this wine. This particular parcel is planted with 100% Chardonnay that works so well with this soil type. Zero dosage is needed, which highlights the floral aspects and the mineral zing. Being a more southern quadrant of Champagne, the fruit here tends to have a nice and generous note, creating a wine that balances acidity with richness. Fleur de Craie was fermented in a combination of tanks and barrels and was laid to rest on the lees for 9 months. After a total of 30 months of aging, this wine delivers notes of strawberry brioche, apple blossom, and exhibits a delightful creaminess on the palate.