The Producer
In Celles-sur-Ource, since the 16th century, the Carreau family has been producing grapes, vinifying a little for their personal consumption. In 1990, Lionel Carreau decided to market a champagne brand under his name. Oriane, his daughter, joined him in 2012.
Oriane's journey is quite unique. A brilliant commercial career took her to North America for several years, yet it was home that called her back.
While continuing to work for Carreau champagnes, Oriane is developing her own brand, Dame de Carreau, from vines in conversion or certified organic. The goal is clear: exceptional grapes or nothing, and a very low-intervention winemaking process.
The Wine
Vine: Les Bondonnots 50 years
Soil: Upper Kimmeridgian
Exposure: North
Only the first press juices
Selected yeasts
Vinification in Lacour stainless steel tanks
Minimum 96 months on lees
Disgorgement 6 months before sale
Adjusted dosage, extra brut or zero depending on the wine
Tasting
Exceptional historical terroir in Celle sur Ource. In old dialect, "les Bondonnots" means "the good bondes," referring, in winemaker language and poetically, to the scent that permeated the bondes of the barrels from this plot. This dialect, according to our elders, dates back to before 1900. This plot is located more than 200 meters above sea level compared to the village. At a time when work was done on horseback, on foot, or by bicycle; one readily acknowledges the exceptional quality that motivated the winemaker to work a plot so high when there were no shortage of lands at the edge of the village.
This Pinot Noir shows a lot of fruit, particularly citrus, sometimes a bit candied. The wine offers something fresh, straightforward, and vigorous, concluding with beautiful bitterness.