Champagne Etienne Sandrin, A Travers Celles Extra Brut 2020
Champagne Etienne Sandrin is a relative newcomer in the village of Celles-sur-Ource in Southern Champagne. Etienne’s work ethic and knowhow are so detailed it rivals multi generational top growers. Each of his bottling are of utmost purity and laser like precion. A Travers Celles is the only blend in his range. Choosing 3 sites of different personalities as a trivet as well as showcasing Pinot Blanc, which is commonly found in this part of Champagne. In 2020, longer pressing meant that there is a slight coloration, purist to the core Etienne refuses to add or take away anything in his wines showcasing the terroir and the year. A Travers Celles is a perfect Champagne from a perfectionist!
Champagne Etienne Sandrin is a relative newcomer in the village of Celles-sur-Ource in Southern Champagne. Etienne’s work ethic and knowhow are so detailed it rivals multi generational top growers. Each of his bottling are of utmost purity and laser like precion. A Travers Celles is the only blend in his range. Choosing 3 sites of different personalities as a trivet as well as showcasing Pinot Blanc, which is commonly found in this part of Champagne. In 2020, longer pressing meant that there is a slight coloration, purist to the core Etienne refuses to add or take away anything in his wines showcasing the terroir and the year. A Travers Celles is a perfect Champagne from a perfectionist!
Champagne Etienne Sandrin is a relative newcomer in the village of Celles-sur-Ource in Southern Champagne. Etienne’s work ethic and knowhow are so detailed it rivals multi generational top growers. Each of his bottling are of utmost purity and laser like precion. A Travers Celles is the only blend in his range. Choosing 3 sites of different personalities as a trivet as well as showcasing Pinot Blanc, which is commonly found in this part of Champagne. In 2020, longer pressing meant that there is a slight coloration, purist to the core Etienne refuses to add or take away anything in his wines showcasing the terroir and the year. A Travers Celles is a perfect Champagne from a perfectionist!
Etienne takes his precision from his previous life as a jurist while Anne was an agricultural engineer. They took over from Etienne’s father in 2006 when he retired. The work at the 10 hectares Domaine was already on the slower pace with horses and tractor but the treatments applied were far from natural. In 2014 they converted everything to organic followed by biodynamic in 2015. They aim to produce a total of 15,000 bottles a year, a quantity which you can quickly calculate as not resonating with 10 hectares of vines. It’s because they keep the heart of every plot and sell the rest to local growers – négociants who are also practising biodynamics. All the Sandrin wines are vinified in stainless steel. They want the terroir to be able to breathe/to be expressed, avoiding any oak patina.
Grape Varieties: 80% Pinot Noir, 20% Pinot Blanc Site Name(s): Mouille-Brant, Vieux Moulin, Grille Besace Terroir: Mouille-Brant (Southern Expo) is on Kimmeridgian limestone where as Vieux Moulin (Eastern Expo) is on silty clay at the base of the hillsides. Grille Besace (Western Expo) is up on a Kimmeridgian limestone plateau at 230 metres. Surface Area: Total is close to 1ha Average Age of Vines: 30 years Altitude: Variable from plot to plot, max 230 metres Vine Density: 9100/ha Vinification: Hand harvested grapes, direct pressing with minimal additions of sulphur. Natural malolactic fermentation takes place fully. No fining and no filtering. Ageing: Stainless steel vats for 8 months post fermentation. Aged for a further 36 months in bottle on the lees before disgorgement. Disgorgement Date: 25/02/2022 Dosage: 2g/l Production (Btls): 2900 Bottles
