Hubert Paulet, Risleus 1er Cru 2004

Primary fermentation followed by 8 months aging in used barrels. One third of the wine receives regular batonnage. Elevage - 72 months sur lattes + 10 months in bottle after disgorgement

Champagne Hubert Paulet is a family owned domaine located in the village of Rilly-la-Montagne. Their 8 hectares of vineyards, which are planted to Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier, are classed as premier cru status, and sit on the north side of the mountain of Reims. The respective soil variety profiles are such that Pinot Noir is planted to soils with a higher degree of clay, the Chardonnay to chalk, and the Pinot Meunier to sandier soils. The estate was founded at the end of the 19th century, and is being run today by vigneron Olivier Paulet, who represents the fourth generation at the domaine. The goal at Hubert Paulet is to showcase the particularities of Rillys chalky terroir by working the soil using only natural viticultural practices. One such practice, admittedly an unusual sight in the region, is to leave grass growing between his rows of vines up until harvest time. All of the fruit is hand-harvested, and fermented in both tile and stainless steel vats. Malolactic fermentation is carried out depending upon the vintage and particular qualities of the wine. The champagnes age sur lattes from 28 to 72 months depending upon the wine. Dosage, for both Extra Brut and Brut wines, are kept at a modest 9 g/L or less. The domaine presently sells off half of their grape production to Billecart-Salmon. With the remaining fruit, Olivier produces just under 2000 cases of Champagne Hubert Paulet.