PierrePetersL’EspritBlancdeBlancsGrandCru2020

Pierre Péters, one of Champagne’s most renowned growers, produces mostly Blanc de Blancs champagnes, which arerated as some of the finest produced in the region. The Domaine is based in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger consisting of 82 plots over nearly 20 hectares of sustainably-managed vineyards, sixteen of which lie within the Côte des Blancs, primarily in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, as well as the other prized villages of Avize, Cramant, Oger and Vertus. Sixth-generation owner, Rodolphe Péters took over the running of the family estate from his father, François in 2008, having been involved in the assemblage since 2000. He initiated the house’s ‘perpetual reserveâ€?of reserve wines in the late 1990s. A graduate in oenology and business, Rodolphe believes that “a good winemaker must listen to his raw materials,â€?practising minimal intervention both the winery and the vineyards. rrL’Esprit is made using fruit which comes from four single vineyards located in the four key villages of the Côte des Blancs: Le Mesnil, Oger, Cramant and Avize.rrWeather: The 2020 Champagne vintage is noted as the third consecutive high-quality, warm harvest, with a promising but challenging season characterized by early budbreak, a warm August, and shortened ripening periods that resulted in heterogeneity among the wines. Despite challenges like vine heat stress and labor issues due to the pandemic, the still base wines (vins clairs) showed potential for powerful, rich, and expressive wines with good balance.rrTechnical Information:rVineyards: 100% Grand cru | Le Mesnil, Oger, Cramant and AvizerGrape Varieties: 100% ChardonnayrWinemaker: Rodolphe PétersrLees Ageing: 4 yearsrDosage: 4g/lrDisgorged: October 2024rDrink: Now to 2032rrTasting Note: The 2020 L’Esprit de 2020 is vivid and finely cut. Orchard fruit, sage, mint, white pepper and slate lend notable brightness. There’s a touch of angularity in the chiseled contours, along with the slightly drying character of the year. Even so, the 2020 is nicely balanced. This will be especially fine at the dinner table. â€?Tasted by Antonio Galloni