Dhondt-Grellet

An interesting small maison in Flavigny just east of Avize run by Arien Dhondt producing terroir driven wines from vineyards in Cramant, Chouilly, Cuis and Sezanne and a small amount of red fruit from Avenay-Val-d’Or. His wines are a wonderful walk through the Cote des Blancs with each cuvee showing a different village and it’s terroir. The Tradition is simple in style with a young blend of most of his vineyards. The Selection is 100% Cuis and shows this dominance on the palate. The Prestige du Moulin shows a real step up in quality and style on the palate with grapes from Chouilly and Cramant. The Millesime is a bizarre side step as we move back to Cuis with an opulence on the nose and a rather simple mid-palate even in a vintage like 2008. Where this producer really stands up is in his Grande Cuvee. A single lieu-dit, Le Bateau, south facing in Cramant, using natural sugars and indigenous yeasts. It is oak fermented, 25% new oak. Opulent, serious and fine. It is a wine that demands your attention and time.