R. Pouillon Grande Vallée Extra Brut

R. Pouillon Grande Vallee Brut is a blend of multiple vintages, blending parcels from the communes of Avenay, Épernay, Festigny, Mareuil, and Mutigny. It's predominantly Pinot Noir (65%), with 20% Pinot Meunier and 15% Chardonnay. Unusually, instead of a combination of yeast and sugar being added to referment the base wine, Fabrice uses unfermented grape juice.

To the eye, the robe is a striking gold with amber highlights. The champagne is brightly fruited with abundant creaminess, revealing enticing florals and a chalky texture in the mouth. On the nose, we get subtle hints of ripe fruits (blackcurrant, black cherries) and almond paste, quickly followed by the complementary aromas of Mirabelle plums and peaches on the second attack. Its finish is a delicious combination of roasted and sweet spices. It’s refreshing acidity and complex flavour profile make an excellent complement to seafood, cheese or simply to be enjoyed on its own.

95/100, Gary Walsh, The WineFront
Complex and nutty but with fresh strawberry, citrus (orange and white chocolate) and subtle peach. Lots of tiny dancing bubbles, a saline character and ‘minerality’, dry with fresh strawberry and a yeasty dry finish of precision and excellent length. Terrific

The Pouillon family has been growing grapes in the region for over a century, but it wasn’t until 1947 when Fabrice’s grandfather, Roger Pouillon, decided to produce wine from his holdings along with the help of his wife, Bernadette, and his uncle, Louis Baulant, a well-known winemaker and consultant in the region.

The estate continued to grow over succeeding decades as grape contracts expired allowing the family terroirs to be incorporated into the Pouillon estate. James Pouillon, Fabrice’s father, joined the firm in 1964 and modernized the cellar by adding enamel-lined tanks and gyropalletes.

Fabrice joined his father in 1998 after finishing degrees in both business and oenology school, and he has taken the winery in an exciting new direction. Working in the grand cru of Aÿ and throughout the Vallée de la Marne and the Montagne de Reims, Fabrice is crafting articulate, expressive, terroir-driven wines that are vibrantly aromatic and intricate on the palate.

Fabrice Pouillon is dedicated to the vitality, energy and health of his vineyards. In 2003, he began the work of conversion to organic viticulture and today he incorporates biodynamic principles into his work including compost management, spraying herbal “teas” and applying 500 and 501 treatments. He currently uses only organic compounds for fertilizer, pheromone confusion to ward off pests, cover crops to restore nutrients in the soil and plows alternating rows to keep vine competition and soil aeration consistent despite varied growing conditions.

65% Pinot Noir, 15% Chardonnay and 20% Meunier from multiple terroirs (Avenay / Épernay / Festigny / Mareuil / Mutigny). It is a blend of wines from the current
vintage and those set aside from previous years. 45% orginates from the 2019 harvest, 30% is 2018 and 25% is reserve wines.

Made using the "Methode Fabrice Pouillon", where at no stage of the winemaking process is sugar or yeast added. Matured in French oak casks or vats. Aged for 24 months.

Grand Vallée's refreshing acidity and complex flavour profile make an excellent complement to seafood and cheese or simply to be enjoyed on its own.