Julien Prelat Les Vignes Basses Blanc de Noirs, Champagne, France (2022 Base)

Julien Prélat is a small, highly individual grower Champagne (récoltant-manipulant) based in Celles-sur-Ource, Côte des Bar. He took over three generations of family vigneron tradition and established his own domaine in 2000, later launching his own label. The estate is tiny, about 2.5 hectares according to the Guide Hachette.

What makes Prélat especially interesting is his single-parcel, single-vintage, single-variety philosophy. Rather than blending wines to create a consistent house style, he says his philosophy is essentially not to blend: each cuvée is built around a particular year, parcel and grape variety, allowing the individual terroir to come through.

“Les Vignes Basses” Blanc de Noirs — 2022 Base is a rare and compelling 100% Pinot Meunier Champagne from Celles-sur-Ource in the Côte des Bar. The fruit comes from a single parcel planted in 1986, on Kimmeridgian marl and limestone, giving the wine an unusually chalky, saline character.