Étienne Calsac Val l'Hermite
£88.90 (Inc. VAT bot. 75 cl.) / North Ireland
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Étienne Calsac’s 2020 vintage-based NV Blanc de Noirs Val l’Hermite derives from a south-facing lieu-dit of the same name planted to Pinot Noir in the village of Bligny in Aube, characterized by Kimmeridgian marl soil with many small stones inside. Fermented and matured for seven months in oak and disgorged in February 2024 without dosage, it’s slightly pink-hued (colored by the skins of the red grapes) and flamboyant, soaring from the glass with a bouquet of strawberry, mirabelle plum, orange zest and spices. Full-bodied, with an enveloping mid-palate and rich core of fruit, it’s underpinned by succulent acids and concludes with a perfumed, expansive finish. Given the more southerly origins and more oxidative tendencies of Pinot Noir, it’s one of the more open, charming wines in the range.
Features
Type of wine
Pairings
Style
Occasions
Winery
Size
Appellation
Alcohol
12.0%
Grapes
Serving
Between 8ºC and 10ºC
Winemaking
Free run fermented in oak barrels. Second fermentation in bottle with natural cork stopper and aged for a minimum ageing of 24 months without final dosage (Brut Nature).
Description
Étienne Calsac represents a new generation of vignerons committed to precision and conscientious viticulture. Étienne Calsac Val l'Hermite was born of a clear vision: to reclaim the character of Pinot Noir from the Côte des Bar, a sub-region often underestimated but with immense potential. Sourced from vineyards in Bligny, where the south-facing slopes and Kimmeridgian loam soils provide an ideal environment, this cuvée embodies the soul of the place. Calsac cultivates its vines according to biodynamic principles, with spontaneous plant cover and animal traction, seeking a direct connection between the soil, the plant and the wine. He has also opted to keep the wine aged under natural cork, an unusual decision but one that profoundly marks the wine's expression.
Winemaking
The vinification of Étienne Calsac Val l'Hermite is carried out entirely in oak barrels, favouring micro-oxygenation and developing a silky texture without imposing woody notes. Spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeasts guarantees authenticity and complexity. After a long rest on the lees of at least 24 months, ageing under cork provides a slow and elegant evolution. Disgorgement is carried out with a minimum dosage (Extra-Brut), highlighting the verticality, freshness and salinity of the wine, without any make-up or concessions.
Taste
From the first impression, Étienne Calsac Val l'Hermite reveals a fine, precise nose: notes of delicate red fruit (redcurrant, white cherry ), ripe citrus fruits and subtle toast, enveloped by a layer of dried fruits, such as raw almond and walnut skin. The bubbles are very fine, perfectly integrated, and support an agile, tense and deeply mineral mouthfeel. Echoes of chalk, apple skin and dried herbs appear, with a lively acidity that lengthens the finish. This is not an exuberant Champagne, but one of detail: elegant, with character and depth. A Blanc de Noirs for palates seeking precision, purity and an honest account of terroir.
Shipping to North Ireland
50% discount on orders over £352.85Estimated transit time: 4-5 working days.
| Bottles | Price | Over £352.85 |
|---|---|---|
| 1-6 | £11.38 | £5.69 (-£5.69) |
| 7-12 | £15.44 | £7.72 (-£7.72) |
| 13-18 | £21.61 | £10.81 (-£10.81) |
| 19-24 | £29.55 | £14.78 (-£14.78) |
| 25-30 | £34.31 | £17.16 (-£17.16) |
| 31-36 | £38.37 | £19.19 (-£19.19) |
| 37-42 | £46.31 | £23.16 (-£23.16) |
| 43-48 | £50.72 | £25.36 (-£25.36) |
| 49-54 | £57.29 | £28.65 (-£28.65) |
| 55-60 | £61.57 | £30.79 (-£30.79) |
| VAT included | ||
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