The 2022 Sous Les Trous cuvée by Alexandre Grimée is a fruity, full-bodied, and briny champagne. Made from Pinot Meunier grapes grown on clay-limestone soil in Bonneil, this single-vineyard Blanc de Meunier pairs equally well as an aperitif or with hearty dishes, such as sweetbreads. The bottle (75cl) captures the raw identity of a specific vineyard site.
Production of this vintage is limited to 2,723 bottles. This exclusive release is distinguished by its entirely oak-aged vinification. The complete absence of dosage highlights the purity of the vineyard site.
The production of the 2022 Sous Les Trous Alexandre Grimée Champagne
The Terroir
The Sous les Trous vineyard is located in the commune of Bonneil, in the Marne Valley. The steep slope of the hillside offers dual south and east exposure, ensuring even ripening of the Pinot Meunier grapes. The topography provides effective natural drainage during rainy periods.
The subsoil belongs to the Bartonian geological stage, composed of marl and clay-limestone formations. The marl imparts a full-bodied texture on the palate; the limestone of the Champagne appellation maintains the final tension. This geological profile forces the roots to dig deep to draw the minerals necessary for the vine’s balance.
Winemaking
Alexandre Grimée manages his one-hectare estate in Azy-sur-Marne. The blend is 100% Pinot Meunier harvested during the 2022 vintage, sourced exclusively from the Sous Les Trous plot.
Alcoholic fermentation takes place in oak barrels that have previously held several wines. This vessel promotes slow micro-oxygenation, which refines the wine without masking the grape variety’s profile. Malolactic fermentation is carried out to develop notes of ripe fruit. The wine is then bottled without fining or filtration, preserving all of its aromatic precursors.
The bottling took place on April 12, 2023. The wine then begins aging on fine lees in the cellar, a process lasting between 15 and 18 months. This prolonged contact with the yeasts enriches the wine’s structure. Disgorgement is performed manually at the end of this resting period.
This champagne belongs to the Brut Nature category. The dosage is 0 g/L: no liqueur is added at bottling. This technical choice respects the natural concentration of the vintage’s juices and reflects the artisanal work of the independent estate.
The 2022 Vintage
The winter of 2022 was mild and dry. A gentle spring encouraged early budbreak, and the slopes of Bonneil escaped the April frosts thanks to their elevation. The Pinot Meunier blossomed rapidly in May, spurred by constant sunshine.
The summer brought a series of heat waves to a particularly dry Marne Valley. On the Sous Les Trous plot, the Bartonian marl regulated the vines’ moisture levels, preventing any stalling of ripening. The berries continued to accumulate sugars despite the high temperatures.
Harvesting began at the end of August. Clear skies allowed for the harvesting of healthy, concentrated clusters, limiting the need for sulfites at the press. The juices exhibit a balanced natural alcohol content, and the Pinot Meunier displays high phenolic density in this sun-drenched vintage.
Tasting notes for the 2022 Sous les Trous cuvée by Alexandre Grimée
Color
The color is a pale gold with silvery highlights that enliven a brilliant disc. The effervescence consists of fine, regular bubbles, forming a persistent cord on the surface of the glass.
Nose
The Pinot Meunier reveals aromas of mirabelle plum, complemented by notes of apple and white flowers. After five minutes of aeration, the barrel aging reveals hints of fresh hazelnut. The clay-limestone terroir expresses itself through a hint of damp chalk.
Palate
The clean attack reflects the absence of dosage. The texture quickly becomes full-bodied and enveloping, a tactile richness inherited from the long aging on lees. The finish lingers with notes of almond and a mineral aftertaste.
Pairing Suggestions
- Fatty tuna sashimi
- Marennes oysters
- Comté cheese gougères
- Veal sweetbreads with morels
- Pan-seared turbot
- Free-range chicken with porcini mushrooms
- Aged Chaource
- 18-Month-Aged Comté
- Thin pear tart
The Expert's Opinion: More Bubbles
This single-vineyard cuvée from Alexandre Grimée offers a precise interpretation of Pinot Meunier. Its non-dosage profile calls for a serving temperature of around 11 degrees, at which point its saline finesse is fully revealed.
Storage and Serving Recommendations
How should this champagne be stored?
This bottle is shipped in our packaging specially designed for transporting champagne. Once received, the bottle should be stored in a dark cellar at a stable temperature between 10 and 12 degrees. Humidity should be around 70% to preserve the elasticity of the natural cork. The bottle (75cl) should be stored horizontally to maintain contact with the cork.
Aging Potential
The vintage’s acidity and concentration ensure harmonious aging.
- Immediate tasting: The wine expresses its liveliness with notes of mirabelle plum and apple.
- Aromatic maturity phase (by 2028): Aging develops notes of hazelnut and fresh butter.
- Tertiary phase (from 2032): The wine evolves toward aromas of candied fruit and roasted notes.
Serving recommendations
Opt for a tulip-shaped glass to concentrate the bouquet. A temperature of 10 to 11 degrees balances the Brut Nature’s tension and allows the richness of the oak aging to fully express itself. Decanting for ten minutes helps open up the aromas.
Trivia about this cuvée
Alexandre Grimée cultivates a one-hectare vineyard. This limited area allows for precision viticulture inspired by gardening. The Sous Les Trous cuvée exemplifies this strict plot-by-plot approach in Bonneil.
