Olivier Horiot Metisse Extra Brut NV

Olivier Horiot Metisse Extra Brut NV

Olivier Horiot and wife Marie are third generation grape growers in Les Riceys, a small town in the Aube that's close to the borders of Burgundy. In her book Terroir Champagne, Caroline Henry writes that Olivier left for the United States, only to realise the uniqueness and diversity of his family's vineyards in France (read: marl, limestone, clay, the works). He moved back, rolled up his sleeves, talked his father into a more natural way of working and applied for both organic and biodynamic certification in 2010.

It was the start of an exceptional champagne brand, that today creates distinctive champagnes that are all about differences. Differences in terms of soil (the aforementioned king), differences between vineyards, differences within vineyards, and grape varieties, as Olivier Horiot champagne is all about forgotten cépages, especially Arbane. In the cellar, Marie and Olivier only use natural yeasts, and as grapes are picked at full ripeness, there's no need to add sugar (so-called chaptalisation).

A blend of 8 terroirs of Les Riceys on Kimmeridgian Marl and Clay. 80% Pinot Noir, 20% Pinot Blanc, the base coming from 2021 harvest with the remainder (roughly 20%) coming from a perpetual reserve kept in wood. Disgorged after 18 months tirage, with zero dosage.

"Offering up aromas of sweet orchard fruit, honeycomb, white flowers and smoke, it's medium to full-bodied, rich and layered, with a seamless, chalky profile and a long, resonant finish. The base vintage renders this a particular success this year." 93 Points - William Kelley, 2019 Base wine