Champagne Anthony and Clémence Toullec are a husband-and-wife team in the Montagne de Reims that we had the privilege of visiting recently. One of the most immaculately clean and zen-inspiring cellars we’ve yet found, and I was immediately smitten with the expressive quality of their entire portfolio. They farm four hectares of vineyards spread across several plots, that include pinot noir, chardonnay and meunier, with a focus on preserving soil health, promoting biodiversity, and ensuring environmental sustainability.

The Toullecs believe in low-intervention winemaking, allowing the terroir to speak for itself so that the wines can shine. They use indigenous yeast fermentations and vinify each plot separately to preserve the distinct characteristics of the terroir. But they keep an almost hospital-level degree of their meticulously clean cellar — so low intervention does not lead to any wayward character flaws in the final product. Their Champagnes are aged extensively on lees to develop complexity and depth, with grapes so good they even sell some of them to revered Grande Marques house and Winston Churchill favorite, Pol Roger. We promised them that if they keep making wines like this… selling grapes will become a necessity no longer… that’s how spectacular these wines are… and how much we believe in them.

Champagne Toullec’s Blanc de Noirs Les Plus hails from the Premier Cru village of Rilly-la-Montagne, a 100% pinot noir from the village where Vilmart et Cie has its headquarters. After gentle pressing from their small Coquard press, the cuvée (first press) juice ferments in 600 liter barrels, prior to aging for up to 10 months on the lees. In the glass, the myriad cherry notes are prominent; the rounded shape of the wine is delightfully plush, yet focused; and the complex flavors and aromas of blood orange, pomegranates, chalk, and caramel are exactly what we want when craving  soul-satisfying Grower Champagne. For just over $50, this is almost unheard of for the complexity alone — and will easily compete with Champagnes in the $125+ range. It’d be a shame to miss out on this fantastic and delicious deal, so get ready to imbibe well!