The Orban story truly begins back in 1929 when Léopold Orban stopped selling his grapes to larger houses in Epernay and started producing Champagnes of his own. This made him one of the very first grower-producers in his village – and the beginnings of a family-run house that continues today. Now, four generations later, Francis Orban has taken over the family business with 18 acres of vineyards in the Marne, on the sandy, clay-rich soils around the villages of Leuvrigny and Sainte-Gemme.

The wine is fermented with indigenous yeasts in temp-controlled stainless steel tanks, before aging for nearly five years on the lees and finished with a light three g/liter dosage. This is a seductively rich and ripe Champagne, with aromas that start with cherries, tropical papaya, and biscuit dough and lead into flavors of lemon cream, tangerine, wet stone, golden apples, chervil, and marzipan. Refined and elegant, this offering is decidedly weightier than most Extra Bruts, and a perfect accompaniment to charcuterie boards, pâtés, and the like.

This 2016 vintage cuvee clocks in at 80% chardonnay and 20% pinot meunier from 30-40-year-old plantings in their vineyards. 2016 had a challenging start to the growing season, with hail and frost significantly affecting yields across all of Champagne. And yet, thanks in part to late-season warmth and sunshine (as well as the flexible nature of smaller farming crews), the fruit that made it into the winery was pristine – loaded with richness and intensity, as the lower crop load on the vines harnessed the energy of the vines into small, yet concentrated berries. This is amongst the very best 2016 vintage Champagnes we have tasted yet, and certainly bodes well for both near-term drinking and long-term cellaring. This is top-quality, vinous Champagne and a perfect addition to any Champagne collection… grab a handful and you won’t regret it! Only 125 cases made of this 93+ point stunner!