Etienne Calsac

Etienne only started production in 2010 although his family have been selling grapes for three generations. He works with 2.8 hectares in Avize, Grauves and Bisseuil and only works with Chardonnay. His family do have a small amount of Pinot Blanc, Arbanne and Petit Meslier in Sezanne, which he vinifies, but at present he does not use it.
Although he is based just outside Avize his main holdings are in Grauves (3 plots) and Bisseuil (1 large vineyard). His one vineyard in Avize has now formally been recognised as a Clos and will go on sale at the end of 2017. He vinifies separately in steel tank for most of his production but uses oak for his Clos and reserve wines. He does malolactic fermentation throughout. All dosage is MCR.
He produces a crisp, lean and mineral style of wine at present but I do sense this changing as he introduces more reserve wines from oak and importantly we see his Clos de Maladries hitting the shelves.
L’Echappee Belle is a blend of his parcels in Grauves and Bisseuil. It is pure and precise. There is fabulous tension and brightness to it with this magical tropical and chalky note to the mid to late palate.
His Les Rocheforts is pure Bisseuil and is very expressive of the terroir. It is 15% oak. Much more elegant and delicate in style, it expands beautifully on the palate delivering dried pineapple and apricot. There is a beautiful dried pithe note on the finish.
His Rose, Rose de Craie, is a blend of 89/11 Chardonnay/Pinot Noir. There is hint of clay, a soft easy palate of soft stewed stone fruits.
Clos des Maladries is produced from his single vineyard, Clos even, in Avize. The Clos sits just behind his grandparent’s house and was only recently given it’s certificate of recognition as a walled vineyard. The wine is made from a single year and vinified in oak barrels. I was given the opportunity to try it both in barrel (2016 harvest) and just disgorged (2013). It is an exciting adventure for Etienne. Plenty of salinity. The oak is nicely integrated and although it is lean at present there is great structure there. I can’t wait to try this in another year or so with a small dosage.
Having watched his production over the last few years, I am excited to see his new venture and can’t wait to see what he comes up with next!