2022 Etienne Calsac Blanc de Blancs " Les Revenants", Extra Brut, Champagne, France

ABOUT THE WINE

Les Revenants is crafted from 100% Chardonnay sourced from a selection of lieux-dits in Avize, a grand cru village known for its chalk-drenched terroir in the Côte des Blancs. Etienne Calsac draws from vines that had been overlooked for generations—thus the name “Les Revenants,” or “The Ghosts”—revived through organic farming and meticulous care. Fermentation takes place with indigenous yeasts in a mix of stainless steel and neutral oak, followed by extended lees aging to build depth and texture. Bottled with minimal dosage (Extra Brut), this 2022 release is precise and lifted, with a focus on terroir expression over opulence. It’s a natural companion for oysters, scallop crudo, or young goat cheese.

ABOUT THE PRODUCER

Etienne Calsac is part of a new wave of grower-producers reimagining Champagne through the lens of purity and ecological stewardship. Based in Avize, he inherited a few hectares of prized old vines and has championed sustainable farming, working organically and plowing by horse. Calsac’s philosophy centers on minimal intervention, emphasizing the raw voice of place over stylistic embellishment. With a cellar that favors long élevage and minimal sulfur use, he crafts wines that are articulate, mineral-driven, and reflective of Champagne’s shifting tides toward authenticity and precision.