2016 Domaine Les Monts Fournois "Côte Cramant Grand Cru", Brut, Champagne, France

ABOUT THIS WINE

The Cramant Grand Cru, located within the Côte des Blancs in Champagne, is located south-southeast of the town of Épernay. It is a small sub-region with a mere 351 ha planted to 99.9% Chardonnay and 0.1% Pinot Meunier. Champagnes grown in Cramant tend to be creamier, more concentrated, mineral-driven wines, compared to those from neighboring Grand Crus with different vineyard exposures.

ABOUT THIS PRODUCER

Born in Champagne in a grower’s family, Juliette Alips rapidly found her passion. With the mentorship of her close cousins, Raphaël and Vincent Bérêche, she discovered and learned all the ins and outs of producing champagne, from farming to vinification, tasting, and blending.

Graduated from enology school in Beaune in 2020, Juliette already has a few vintages under her belt with acclaimed producers like Louis Latour in Bourgogne, G.D. Vajra in Piedmont, and closer to home, Louis Roederer Champagne where she spent more than a year learning from this iconic Maison.

Now, with the help of her two cousins, she is starting this new adventure with Domaine Les Monts Fournois. Located in the north part of the Montagne de Reims, in the sub-area called La Grande Montagne, the Premier Cru Les Monts Fournois will be the focus of the Domaine.

Until the first vintage releases in a few years, the Domaine is offering a very small selection of vintage Grand Cru Champagne. Using the extensive and strong family grower relationships developed by her cousins, Juliette is able to source tiny quantities of superb champagne from iconic vineyards to craft these exceptional wines.