Champagne Régis Poissinet Terre d'Irizée Extra Brut NV

Champagne Régis Poissinet is a grower/producer that has farmed 7 hectares in the Marne Valley since just after WWII. Régis himself has led the charge to make this an up-and-coming grower house in a region that has historically been picked over by the Champagne Mega-Houses as a top source of “backbone” for their myriad cuvées. This is a powerful, toasty, and crisp wine that is primed to receive ample fanfare – 92 POINTS is just the beginning!

Régis Poissinet grew up among these vines, deciding at the tender age of fourteen that he would make wine from them one day. He embarked on a series of internships and apprenticeships across all aspects of the wine industry, with a particular focus on Champagne – all to arm himself for the day when the land would become his. That time is now, and Régis has made a serious effort to ensure that the moment is not squandered. Like many growers, the focus here is on the land itself. The conversion to biodynamic and sustainable farming began in 2011, and the dividends have been obvious. With an average age of 33 years old, these vines are at the peak of health, in each of the over 35 different parcels spread across the villages of the Marne Valley.

The Marne’s typical limestone clay soils are responsible for the power and depth of these wines, as is of course, the Marne’s favorite son – pinot meunier. Together, these characteristics highlight the up-and-coming villages of Cuchery, Baslieux, Leuvrigny, Troissy, and Mareuil le Port – where all of Poissinet’s grapes are grown. The house’s first release was a 2013 vintage cuvée disgorged in early 2017. They intentionally started very slowly, with only one wine to start, in order to build up their perpetual reserves to create a house style in-line with Régis’ vision. Now, a handful of years in, the style is starting to take shape.

This cuvée is a blend of 84% pinot meunier and 16% chardonnay – blended from several vintages, including a solera-style reserve wine that accounts for some 40% of the finished blend. The complexity is immediately apparent, with aromas of mandarin blossom, pink grapefruit, white peach, and golden plum – all framed by toasty aromas of croissant dough, marzipan, and baked walnut tarts. On the palate, golden apples and cinnamon take shape, with a bright citrine acidity carrying the wine to a clean and soft finish. This is a wine that is young and powerful in its youth, but with the depth and structure to allow for exceptional development over the next several years. A stunning new find from an up-and-coming producer – and one we hope to continue to support for many wines and many years to come!

PAIRING IDEAS: This is the perfect match for one of my favorite one-pot wonders – Roast Chicken with Lemon Orzo. The brightness, the creaminess, the briny and juicy character… wait, am I talking about the dish or the wine?!? Exactly…