Champagne Pierre Brocard "Contrée Noire" Blanc de Noirs, Extra Brut '18

Vigneron Thibaud Brocard is the fifth generation of Champagne Brocard Pierre to work his family vineyards near the village of Celles-sur-Ource in the Seine river valley, known as the Barséquanais area of the Côte des Bar, the southernmost subregion of Champagne. Vineyards are entirely estate-owned and farmed organically with both northern and southern exposures. Champagne Contrée Noire is a Blanc de Noir from 100% pinot noir grapes, harvested in the 2018 vintage from the Frillon vineyard, planted in 1962, located near the village of Celles-sur-Ource. Soils consist of both Kimmeridgian and Portlandian limestone and clay. The vineyard is south-facing but maintains great freshness because it is in a valley between two forests, protected by pine trees on the ridge. The vineyard has excellent ventilation, with cooling breezes most of the year. Thibaud works non-oxidatively and notably utilizes nitrogen in the winery to protect his tanks, which helps him keep the use of sulfur dioxide in th