NV Julien Prelat Presle Blanc de Blancs ( 2023 Base)

Pure, mineral, and precisely Champagne — the NV Julien Prélat "Presle" (2023 base) is a 100% Chardonnay Blanc de Blancs from Kimmeridgian soils in Celles-sur-Ource, Côte des Bar, with crisp white fruit, grapefruit, rose petal, cream, and hazelnut, driven by bright citrus freshness, salty minerality, and a clean, fine-boned finish. Extra Brut at just 3g/L dosage, fermented in stainless steel, aged 24 months on the lees — About 600 cases made, total. Julien and Karine Prélat farm their 7 hectares sustainably with only organic fertilizers, working the land by hand — fourth-generation vigneron neighbors and mentees of Cédric Bouchard of Roses de Jeanne, whose own Presle parcel shares the same Kimmeridgian terroir — making tiny quantities of grower Champagne that speaks of a specific place rather than a house style. Fun fact: the Presle parcel was planted in 2007 — relatively young vines by Champagne standards — yet already producing a wine of real mineral precision and depth, proof that the Kimmeridgian terroir of the Aube does most of the heavy lifting. Serve as an aperitif with oysters, raw fish, or Comté — or simply open it and wonder why you didn't order more.