Champagne Anthony & Clemence Toullec Assemblage Extra Brut Premier Cru NV

Anthony and Clémence are avid proponents of low-intervention winemaking, preferring to let the wine, climate, and terroir speak for itself – and take great pains to ensure the cellar and winery where this magical alchemy occurs is kept surgically sterile. Indigenous yeast fermentation is utilized to maintain that sense of terroir, with each lot fermented separately to further add to each parcel’s unique expression of the land. Extensive aging on lees grants these carefully constructed blends to develop exceptional complexity and depth. These truly are some simply fantastic Champagnes that inspire no shortage of deep thought and lively conversation. 

The duo are the fifth generation of a family who farms four hectares of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier in the Montagne de Reims. These 24 diverse parcels are located in Rilly la Montagne, Sacy, Montbré, Taissy, and Avenay Val d’Or – offering up a series of soil types and micro-climates that allow the duo to weave complex tapestries of flavors within the Montagne de Reims. Currently, a portion of their fruit is contracted over to the revered Grande Marque house of Pol Roger – an old Winston Churchill favorite. But the hope is, as their grower Champagne projects continue to build international recognition, less and less fruit will leave the Toullecs’ qualified hands with each passing harvest. 

This Toullec Assemblage is 50-50 Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, aged half in barrel and half in tanks for about 10 months prior to bottling. During this time, the Champagne was allowed to go through partial malolactic fermentation, so there’s this lovely balance between both a creaminess and linear intensity to this wine that intrigues the palate. A lengthy 46 months on the lees in bottle followed, enabling a gorgeous integration and layering of components to occur naturally.

As a result, the complexity of this wine is something otherworldly in its magnitude. From the Meyer lemon citrine notes and delectable stone fruit flavors of peach and apricot, leading into bright and tart flavors of red raspberry and currants – this wine has a bit of everything. Toss in some buttery brioche, and flaky pie crust notes, with the alluring finish of vanilla-infused chantilly cream, and this just exudes pure, uninhibited happiness. For under $50 (down from the recommended $85 retail), this is one Champagne you should add to your bubbly arsenal before we sell out!