Aurélien Lemaire

Back to the roots - and then everything changed. In 2016, Aurélien returned to the family estate after formative periods in Georgia and with Sébastien Mouzon. But anyone who thinks he is simply picking up where his parents left off is mistaken. Three years later, he makes a radical cut: he takes the best plots of land, throws the old conventions overboard and starts from scratch. Biodynamically. With craftsmanship. Without compromise. No more chemicals in the vineyard, but dozens of newly planted trees. Together with minds like Antoine Bouvet, Romain Henin and Flavien Nowack, Aurélien is part of a movement that is rewriting Champagne. Away from the old prestige image, towards real substance and craftsmanship. These are champagnes with soul. They speak of the soil. Of change.

In a village that many people only know from the Laval bottles - Boursault, on the left bank of the Marne - he produces champagnes that are anything but classic. Georgian Quevris are buried in the middle of the garden. And not only Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grow in the vineyards, but also Pinot Gris, Arbanne, Petit Meslier - and a few more secrets that are better kept under wraps.

Aurélien works with the very first, finest press and leaves it unclarified. Native yeasts, no bullshit. After 2 years in the bottle, disgorgement takes place. The champagne in the glass has pure tension: deep, lively, vibrant. Even its first vintage made waves among natural wine nerds and grower freaks. And believe us - that was just the beginning.

The heart of Aurélien Lemaire's vision: Les Terres Jaunes is a time-honored Chardonnay parcel that combines history, craftsmanship and the future. Now cultivated biodynamically and tied in palissage, the vines provide shade for themselves - for Aurélien an ecosystem that protects, strengthens and densifies itself. The south-facing aspect ensures plenty of pressure on the vines: full power. But anyone expecting a champagne with elbows and belly fat is wrong. Aurélien tames the power with a sure instinct. He reads early, presses gently, ferments slowly and thus creates a champagne that embraces you, not overwhelms you. Finest perlage, silky grip, vibrating tension.