Elise Dechannes 'Essentielle', Champagne, France

Elise Dechannes is one of the rising stars of the Côte des Bar, the southernmost region of Champagne, based in the historic village of Les Riceys. Born into a Champagne winegrowing family, Elise originally pursued a career in banking before returning to her roots and taking over her family vineyards in 2008 to create her own domaine.

"Essentielle" Champagne is a beautifully expressive Blanc de Noirs from one of the Côte des Bar’s most exciting grower producers. Based in Les Riceys, Aube, Elise Dechannes focuses on showcasing the purity and personality of Pinot Noir from her Kimmeridgian-rich vineyards, crafting small-production Champagnes with a distinctly Burgundian character. 

Essentielle is made from 100% Pinot Noir, with a natural, terroir-driven approach. Depending on the release, the wine is produced with minimal intervention, including fermentation and élevage that emphasize texture and vineyard expression, and is often offered with very low or zero dosage. The wine shows aromas of lemon zest, orange peel, red berries, fresh peach, brioche, and chalky minerality, with a generous yet elegant palate marked by freshness, purity, and fine balance.