Louis Aristide was born in 1865, and essentially, was the father of the house of Massin. He was the first to plant vines in the family. Marius, his son, wanted to continue his legacy and expand the vineyard holdings. Rémy Massin is strictly family-owned and operated, and is now helmed by the fifth generation. 

There are about 22 hectares total, most of which are planted to pinot noir. But there’s also chardonnay and pinot blanc to round out the offerings. In the vineyard, Rémy Massin uses no chemicals in the vineyard, judicious leaf removal, and very little plowing to maintain the vineyard’s health. And in the cellar, the winemaking is equally meticulous. Every lot is fermented separately and in stainless steel to preserve the purest expressions of the fruit. Rémy Massin believes in long lees aging, so once the process is nearly finished, wines stay on the lees an average of 30 months and up to six years. 

This stands as the pinnacle of the estate, and this Louis-Aristide cuvee uses a sizeable chunk of the family’s perpetual reserve that started in 1995 and is 100% pinot noir. Malo is encouraged and it sits on the lees for at least five years, though this bottling has a full six. With only a small dosage of three grams per liter, the showcase of fruit purity is of the utmost importance. There’s a mild, acacia-driven nose with only hints of some orchard fruit aromas, but a burst of chalk-like minerality, with flecks of iron on the palate. The essence of salty sea air lingers, but is enveloped with a textural roundness of lemon cream, and white cherries from the pinot noir. I always tremble with excitement anytime we have the opportunity to feature a new bottling by Rémy Massin. They are one of the best producers in the Aube – and they’re members of the Club Trésors de Champagne (Special Club), which makes me love them even more! There’s not nearly as much as we’d like, so give thanks, and get yours with all haste! .