PRACTICING ORGANIC FARMING
Wirth-Michel is a 10-acre estate in the Côteaux sud d'Epernay whose holdings are spread over four villages in this area: Moussy, Vinay, Brugny-Vaudancourt, Saint-Martin d´Ablois. 70% of the vineyards are massal and the average yield is very low due to this old genetic material. Proprietor, Antonin Michel practices pragmatic organic viticulture with biodynamic influences. For now, the estate is very small, producing only 10,000 bottles across the range. Entirely from the 2019 harvest, "Les Rigoblins" is a single plot Champagne cuvée from the cru of Vinay. It is a co-planted plot, 50% being Chardonnay, 17% Pinot Noir (both planted in 1989) and 33% Meunier from a patch of land planted in 1947. Due to the acute steepness of this parcel horses do most of the ploughing here. It was fermented with full malolactic and raised for 10 months in 600-liter barrels and then bottle aged for 39 months sur latte under cork. It was disgorged in March of 2003 and finished with a dosage 3 g/l.
JEB DUNNUCK 91 POINTS - "From co-planted vines, 50% Chardonnay 33% Meunier, and the rest Pinot Noir, the NV Champagne Rignoblins pours a bright yellow/pale color and is a bit reserved on the nose, with notes of pineapple, saline, beeswax, and golden apples. The mousse is livelier here, with a savory and mineral texture as well as a tapering finish. This is a solid offering with a savory slanting application to enjoy over the coming 8-10 years."
Wirth-Michel is a 10-acre estate in the Côteaux sud d'Epernay whose holdings are spread over four villages in this area: Moussy, Vinay, Brugny-Vaudancourt, Saint-Martin d´Ablois. 70% of the vineyards are massal and the average yield is very low due to this old genetic material. Proprietor, Antonin Michel practices pragmatic organic viticulture with biodynamic influences. For now, the estate is very small, producing only 10,000 bottles across the range. Entirely from the 2019 harvest, "Les Rigoblins" is a single plot Champagne cuvée from the cru of Vinay. It is a co-planted plot, 50% being Chardonnay, 17% Pinot Noir (both planted in 1989) and 33% Meunier from a patch of land planted in 1947. Due to the acute steepness of this parcel horses do most of the ploughing here. It was fermented with full malolactic and raised for 10 months in 600-liter barrels and then bottle aged for 39 months sur latte under cork. It was disgorged in March of 2003 and finished with a dosage 3 g/l.
JEB DUNNUCK 91 POINTS - "From co-planted vines, 50% Chardonnay 33% Meunier, and the rest Pinot Noir, the NV Champagne Rignoblins pours a bright yellow/pale color and is a bit reserved on the nose, with notes of pineapple, saline, beeswax, and golden apples. The mousse is livelier here, with a savory and mineral texture as well as a tapering finish. This is a solid offering with a savory slanting application to enjoy over the coming 8-10 years."
