Étienne Calsac Clos des Maladries 2020
HK$ 1,427.60
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Étienne Calsac’s 2020 Blanc de Blancs Avize Clos des Maladries derives from a 0.16-hectare walled vineyard in Avize. Farmed organically, plowed mostly by horse and vinified entirely in used oak (600-liter and 350-liter barrels), it was disgorged in June 2024 with a dosage of four grams per liter, which feels a bit high when tasting this rich, concentrated wine. The aromatic range is marked by above-average levels of volatile acidity, reminiscent of nail varnish, which is unfortunate, as it suppresses the underlying aromas of peach, pastries and grapefruit zest. On the palate, it’s ample and creamy, with good structure and balance, concluding with a chalky finish.
Features
Type of wine
Pairings
Style
Occasions
Winery
Size
Appellation
Alcohol
12.0%
Grapes
Serving
Between 8ºC and 10ºC
Winemaking
Fermented with indigenous yeasts in oak barrels (30%) and stainless steel tanks with partial malolactic fermentation. Second fermentation in bottle with a minimum ageing of 48 months and a final dosage of 2 g/l (Extra Brut).
Description
Behind a discreet wall in Avize, in the heart of the Côte des Blancs, hides the intimate story of a family and their vineyard. Étienne Calsac was planted in the 1970s by his grandfather, just behind the family home. For decades it remained a secret vineyard, until 2010 when it applied for official "clos" recognition, making it one of the very rare walled vineyards in Champagne. The name " Les Maladries " dates back to the Middle Ages, when plague patients were given shelter there. Today, the same land, worked on horseback and without modern shortcuts, gives life to a Blanc de Blancs that faithfully reflects the mineral purity of the Grand Cru d'Avize.
Winemaking
Faithful to a philosophy of minimal intervention, Étienne Calsac seeks to let the terroir speak without filters. The grapes for Étienne Calsac Clos des Maladries are harvested by hand and the fermentations start with indigenous yeasts. Thirty percent of the must is fermented in oak barrels and the rest in stainless steel, seeking a balance between tension and amplitude. No fining or filtration is carried out, preserving all its natural energy. The wine rests for 36 months on its lees under cork stoppers, which provides greater complexity and finesse than the use of the classic crown cork. Brut Nature, with no added sugar, is presented naked, with an honest and direct expression of Avize Chardonnay.
Taste
Étienne Calsac Clos des Maladries displays a vibrant, precise nose: wet chalk, flint and white stone mark the start, before giving way to crystalline citrus fruits - lemon , pink grapefruit, a touch of yuzu - accompanied by green apple and fresh pear. The ageing under cork adds nuances of fine pastries, hazelnut and a delicate smoky echo. The palate is straight and sharp, with a sparkling acidity that illuminates the palate. The bubbles are subtle and persistent, adding creaminess without losing lightness. The citrus profile merges with saline notes and a long finish with hints of bitter almonds. Pure, tense and mineral, this is a Champagne for lovers of authenticity: austere and elegant, where the chalk becomes the absolute protagonist.
Shipping to Hong Kong
Estimated transit time: 3 working days.
| Bottles | Price | Complete box |
|---|---|---|
| 1-5 bottles | HK$ 138.54 | 6 bottles, Free shipping! |
| 7-11 bottles | HK$ 138.54 | 12 bottles, Free shipping! |
| 13-17 bottles | HK$ 138.54 | 18 bottles, Free shipping! |
| 19-23 bottles | HK$ 138.54 | 24 bottles, Free shipping! |
| 25-29 bottles | HK$ 138.54 | 30 bottles, Free shipping! |
| 31-35 bottles | HK$ 138.54 | 36 bottles, Free shipping! |
| 37-41 bottles | HK$ 138.54 | 42 bottles, Free shipping! |
| 43-47 bottles | HK$ 138.54 | 48 bottles, Free shipping! |
| 49-53 bottles | HK$ 138.54 | 54 bottles, Free shipping! |
| 55-59 bottles | HK$ 138.54 | 60 bottles, Free shipping! |
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