The Dethune family is one of the oldest in Ambonnay, in the Montagne de Reims, having tended vines on the village’s privileged slopes since the early 17th century. Today, Pierre Déthune and his wife, Sophie, have planted seven hectares of 70% pinot noir and 30% chardonnay, all entirely within the Ambonnay Grand Cru site, and all organically farmed according to biodynamic principles.

Paul Déthune is truly one of those hype-worthy, sommelier-fave grower Champagnes that drinks meteorically above its price point. Serious, but not flashy in any way, and terrifically rich and intense, this is beautifully made grower bubbly that eclipses the vast majority of the big-name stuff. Pure freshness and untamed verve without sacrificing the ripe fruit orchard characteristics that are definitively Ambonnay. Bright, mineral, and deliciously aromatic with warm toasty croissant dough, honeysuckle, apricot, and orange blossom. Dry but not austere, beautifully generous, long, and intense to the very last sip – that’s what this wine is. Pure poetry. 

Faithful to the house's traditional methods, the Brut Grand Cru is aged and vinified in 205-liter oak barrels before bottling and aging on the lees for five years. The wine was finished with a dosage of 9 g/liter back in May of last year, and 18+ months later is really strutting beautifully. As this is in a magnum, it will age even more slowly, really allowing those autolytic and fruit flavors to develop, perfect for a long-lived wine with long-lived enjoyment. The vineyard practices natural and organic techniques such as integrated pest management, solar power, and a complete lack of chemical use in the vineyard. With Ambonnay set as arguably the center point of the grower Champagne movement, the Déthunes have set an example – positioning a benchmark that all others should strive to achieve. Pedigreed perfection in this bottle, and a worthy Champagne for any occasion! And hey, if one glorious MAGNUM doesn’t quite cut it – send us an email...‘cause we just might have a very special 3 Liter or two with your name on it!