Country: France

Region: Champagne

Vintage: NV

Cépage: Chardonnay (100%)

Size: 750 ml

Rating(s): 91 (RP)

In 2010, at the age of 26, Etienne Calsac decided to take control of his grandparents’ three hectares of vineyards scattered in and around Avize, which had previously been rented out to the grandes maisons. Chez Calsac, stewardship of the terroir is the basis for great Champagne, so Etienne set out to ensure that all the vineyards are planted with grass cover crops, plowed, and transitioned to organic farming.

Etienne himself had worked several vintages helping with press before starting his own domaine, and he decided to maintain the same strict quality controls, as well as add a few personal touches inspired by tastings and conversations with other young vignerons. Each parcel is vinified separately, with a small percentage of wines aged in barrels. 

" Calsac’s 2021 vintage-based NV Blanc de Blancs Les Rocheforts, complemented with 10% of reserve wines from 2020, was disgorged in April 2024 with four grams per liter dosage. A reference to the stark white chalk, Les Rocheforts comes from an organically farmed single-vineyard site planted in 1986 and 1988 in the village of Bisseuil. In the cellar, the wine is vinified equal parts in stainless steel and oak (five years old on average). Soaring from the glass with scents of acacia, pear and ripe citrus fruit, it’s muscular, glossy and textural, with a charming core of fruit and a delicately saline finish."

Kristaps Karklins (RP) - 12/24