DeutzCuveeWilliamDeutz2008

Champagne Deutz, located in Ay, one of Champagne’s most historic and renowned terroirs for Pinot Noir, on predominantly south-facing hillsides. The house was founded in 1838 by William Deutz and Pierre-Hubert Geldermann, two wine merchants from Aix-La-Chapelle. In 1993, Louis Roederer acquired Champagne Deutz and appointed Fabrice Rosset as CEO.rrFrom the late 1990’s, Rosset revitalized the brand, generating substantial income and reinvesting approximately â‚?0 million into the cellars, winery, and infrastructure. Under the leadership of Chef de Cave Michel Davesne, who joined in 2003 and retired in 2023, the quality of Deutz’s wines significantly improved. Production, which was 600,000 bottles in 1996, has grown to 2.5 million bottles and continues to expand.rrIn 2022, Marc Hoellinger became CEO, ushering Deutz into a new era defined by a commitment to sustainable viticulture. The Maison owns 42 hectares of vineyards and sources additional grapes from growers across 300 hectares, all located within a 30-minute drive of the winery. Uniquely, Deutz produces three prestige cuvées: William Deutz, Amour de Deutz Blanc de Blancs, and Amour de Deutz Rosé. The Blanc de Blancs cuvées are among Champagne’s most refined, renowned for their precision, delicacy, and exceptional finesse. By 2023, the estate had transitioned to 100% organic farming, with certification targeted for 2026.rrCuvée William has been the flagship expression of Champagne Deutz for over half a century, since it was first released commercially in 1961. The grapes were pressed and vinified at Deutz’s state of the art winery in Aÿ, with each individual parcel being vinified in its own separate tank.rrWeather: 2008 was dominated by grey, overcast skies â€?an exception in a decade characterized by bold, generous sunshine. Spring and summerrought the same lack of sunlight and absence of high temperatures. It was September that saved the vintage, belatedly and miraculously. Just when the harvest was getting underway (on September 15), the weather conditions were finally perfect: blue skies and prolonged north-northeasterly winds. Picking was spread out over a long period in order to benefit from this positive turn of events. The grapes were riper than anyone dared hope, and had truly outstanding balance. The vines were in perfect health.rrTechnical Information:rVineyards: 100% Grand Cru; Pinot Noir: 62% â€?Aÿ, Bouzy, Ambonnay & Verzenay â€?Chardonnay: 34% â€?Avize & le Mesnil-sur-Oger â€?Meunier: 4% â€?PierryrGrape Varieties: 62% Pinot Noir, 34% Chardonnay & 4% MeunierrDisgorged: June 2019rDosage: 8.8 g/lrLees Ageing:10 yearsrAlcohol: 12%rDrink: Now to 2030rrTasting Note: The distinct Deutz nose, a combination of chalky character & smoky reductive notes, below this lies a lot of fruit, pear, bright red apple, grapefruit and pineapple with spice. The ten years lees ageing has broadened the mouth feel and texture and other fruit come through like quince and dark red cherry. There is a richness to the fruit and lovely texture and my fellow taster used a term “there is a lovely flow through the palateâ€?it does move through flowing across your palate. There is freshness from acidity, guessing most or all goes through malolactic since its gentle for a 2008. Tasting 10 minutes later there is more citrus like spiced lemon and bitter orange. At the time I tasted it I didn’t know the grape blend and noted “probably mainly PN & 30% Chardonnayâ€?and that turns out to be roughly true and that was the taste experience. Has great finesse and tension with lightness and salinity to finish. I think for today I rate 18+/20 allowing room for an extra half point perhaps over time.Nick Baker 29th November 2020.