The Les Terres des Rouillons cuvée from Maison Thevenet-Delouvin is a true hidden gem, a Premier Cru Champagne characterized by its high standards and rarity. With only 425 bottles produced for this edition, this single-vineyard cuvée embodies the quintessence of Chardonnay grown on the unique terroir of Grauves.
Made exclusively from the 2019 harvest, it is distinguished by its perfect maturity and careful aging in a combination of wood and stainless steel. It is a wine for gastronomy, tailored for lovers of racy Blanc de Blancs, offering a striking balance between the tension of chalk and the richness of artisanal winemaking.
The production of the Les Terres des Rouillons cuvée
The production of this Blanc de Blancs (100% Chardonnay) reflects a rigorous artisanal approach, certified High Environmental Value (HVE) and Sustainable Viticulture in Champagne. Isabelle and Xavier Thevenet favor respectful viticulture to obtain grapes of impeccable quality.
The winemaking process is designed to reveal the complexity of the terroir:
- Cœur de cuvée: Pneumatic pressing is fractionated to retain only the best juices, guaranteeing finesse and purity.
- Fermentation in wood and stainless steel: Alcoholic fermentation takes place partly in wood and partly in stainless steel vats. This technical choice brings a subtle patina and micro-oxygenation that enriches the wine without masking it.
- Long maturation: After partial malolactic fermentation (to retain freshness while adding roundness), the wine is aged for over 36 months in bottles in the Passy-Grigny cellars.
A Premier Cru terroir in Grauves
This cuvée takes its name and character from a single plot: the lieu-dit "Les Terres des Rouillons". Located in Grauves, a Premier Cru terroir at the entrance to the Côte des Blancs (south of Épernay), this vineyard benefits from a chalky soil.
This chalky soil is the keystone of the wine: it imparts the mineral "vitality" that is essential to counterbalance the natural richness of the grapes. The plot, passed down by Isabelle's grandmother (a native of the village), is cherished by winegrowers, who often choose to harvest it in the last days of the harvest. This patience allows the grapes to reach full phenolic maturity, producing rich and invigorating juices.
The 2019 vintage: A year of structure
Although this cuvée is a "Signature" of the house, the current edition is composed of 100% Chardonnays from the 2019 harvest. This choice of a single year allows us to capture the climatic identity of the year, marked here by a beautiful concentration. Dosed at Extra-Brut (5 g/l), the wine retains its integrity and energy, allowing the terroir to express itself unadulterated.
Tasting notes for the Signature cuvée
Color
In the glass, the champagne reveals a deep yellow color, adorned with elegant green highlights that betray its freshness and grape variety. The effervescence is fine and regular, forming a persistent cordon.
Nose
The nose is frank and immediately seductive. It opens with great freshness and delicate floral notes, typical of the great Chardonnays of the Côte des Blancs. There is a hint of emerging complexity linked to aging in wood.
Palate
The tasting surprises with its fullness and length on the palate. The attack is lively, carried by precise aromas of lemon juice that bring a vibrant freshness. In the middle of the palate, the wine gains substance, underscored by discreet woody notes that provide structure. This is a cuvée that remains lively and elegant right through to the finish.
Food and wine pairing suggestions
- Gougères with mature Comté cheese
- Shavings of aged Parmesan
- Smoked salmon toast
- Sole meunière with lemon butter
- Shellfish and crustacean platter
- Scallop carpaccio
- Mountain Comté (24 months)
- Alpine Beaufort
- Mature sheep's milk Tomme
Storage and serving tips
Aging potential
Thanks to its natural acidity (chalk soil) and structure enhanced by aging in oak barrels, this cuvée has excellent aging potential. You can enjoy it today for its lemony freshness or leave it to age in your cellar for 3 to 5 years to develop more buttery and toasted notes.
Serving advice
This gourmet champagne deserves to be served at an ideal temperature of around 9°C to 10°C. Avoid serving it too cold, as this will "break" the aromas. It is best served in a flared white wine glass to allow it to breathe and reveal its full floral and woody complexity.
