Tasting notes:

Vines were planted by the Cattier family in Chigny-les-Roses, in the heart ofthe Montagne de Reims, at least as long ago as 1625, and the same familyowns and produces the wines today. Cellars more than 30m deep providethe perfect conditions for maturing the iconic blanc de blancs wines forat least four years before disgorging. This expressive wine is producedfrom nine villages, mainly Ludes, Chigny-les-Roses and Rilly-la-Montagne. Pale lemon-green in colour with a mid-width cordon, thewine exudes apples and pears with overtones of fresh yeast andtouches of smoke and chalkiness. Brut in style (8g/l), the light-bodiedpalate has bright yellow and green fruit, framed by crisp acidity andcrackling mousse texture. Intriguing notes of white pepper and whitechocolate lend interest to the lingering finish. The wine is stupendous tosip and savour on its own, but works well with Oscietra or Beluga caviar, if one must.(Patricia Stefanowicz MW)