2022 Dhondt-Grellet Les Terres Fines Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut Champagne 1er Cru 750ml

The 2022 Dhondt-Grellet Les Terres Fines Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut Champagne 1er Cru 750ml stands as an immortal benchmark of grower Champagne brilliance, electric minerality, and modern artisan mastery. Furthermore, Adrien Dhondt is universally acclaimed as one of the brightest young stars in Champagne, producing wines with staggering dry extract and precision. Sourced from ancient Chardonnay vines in the Premier Cru village of Cuis, this cuvée captures the pure essence of raw Côte des Blancs chalk. Today, this distinguished bottling delivers crystalline citrus, pulverized chalk tension, and monumental cellar longevity.

Additionally, the 2022 vintage provided sun-drenched concentration balanced by Dhondt’s trademark spine of searing acidity. Dhondt-Grellet utilizes a perpetual reserve dating back decades, adding multi-vintage depth to this single-terroir expression. Consequently, this bottling combines energetic drive with a sumptuous, creamy mid-palate texture.

Terroir & Viticulture

Les Terres Fines is situated entirely within the Premier Cru village of Cuis on the northern flank of the Côte des Blancs. However, what elevates this climat into greatness is its razor-thin layer of topsoil lying directly over solid Campanian chalk bedrock. This extreme chalk soil forces ancient vine roots meters deep into the earth to seek moisture and minerals.

Specifically, the old vines, averaging over forty-five years of age, yield naturally small crops of intensely flavored, thick-skinned grapes. Adrien Dhondt manages every vine with strict biodynamic and organic principles, practicing regular horse-drawn plowing to avoid soil compaction. The 2022 season delivered ideal summer warmth and an uninterrupted harvest in late August. Therefore, the grapes achieved complete phenolic maturity, balanced natural sugars, and mouthwatering natural acidity.

Vinification & Craftsmanship

The cellar methodology at Dhondt-Grellet follows an uncompromising pursuit of purity, texture, and site transparency. Grapes were harvested entirely by hand into small crates, followed by gentle, fractionated pressing in a traditional Coquard press. The juice fermented spontaneously with native yeasts inside seasoned oak barrels and stainless steel.

The wine matured on its fine lees for approximately twenty-four months in subterranean cellars without fining, filtration, or cold stabilization. In addition, the cuvée incorporates roughly 30% of a perpetual solera reserve aged in large wooden foudres. Disgorgement took place with an extra brut dosage of less than two grams per liter to highlight pure vineyard energy. Furthermore, minimal sulfur additions ensure that the wine’s vibrant, living texture remains completely unmasked.

Tasting Notes

In the glass, the 2022 Dhondt-Grellet Les Terres Fines Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut Champagne 1er Cru 750ml displays a radiant pale straw hue with vivid green reflections and an ultra-fine bead. The nose immediately erupts with lime zest, green orchard apple, white peach, and orange blossom. In addition, complex layers of struck flint reduction, crushed chalk, wet river stones, and roasted hazelnuts emerge with air.

On the palate, the wine delivers extraordinary dry extract, chiseled precision, and electric velocity. A driving core of citrus oils and white orchard fruit is backed by an intense spine of saline chalk acidity. Meanwhile, subtle phenolic grip coats the mid-palate, imparting phenomenal structural weight without heaviness. Consequently, the extra brut finish vibrates with mouthwatering tension, citrus zest, and smoky mineral persistence.

Technical Specifications

• Producer: Champagne Dhondt-Grellet
• Winemaker: Adrien Dhondt
• Appellation: Champagne 1er Cru AOC
• Cru: Cuis (Côte des Blancs)
• Cuvée: Les Terres Fines
• Varietal: 100% Chardonnay (Blanc de Blancs)
• Base Vintage: 2022 (with perpetual solera reserve)
• Viticulture: Certified Biodynamic & Organic principles
• Aging: ~24 months on fine lees in cellars
• Dosage: Extra Brut (~1.5 g/L)
• Alcohol: ~12.5% ABV
• Volume: 750ml
• Closure: Natural Cork

Service & Cellar Potential

Serve this grower Champagne between 10°C–12°C (50°F–54°F) in universal white wine stemware or large tulip glasses. Specifically, avoid narrow flutes, as this vinous Champagne demands room to release its expressive mineral aromatics. Open 15 minutes prior to service to let the energetic tension harmonize into ripe fruit.

Pair this cuvée with fresh oysters, sea urchin, pan-seared Dover sole, langoustines, or roasted poultry with chanterelles. Furthermore, aged firm alpine cheeses like Comté or Beaufort provide a seamless culinary match. As a result, collectors can enjoy this vibrant bottling today or cellar it effortlessly through 2038+.