TN: NV Etienne Calsac Champagne L'échappée Belle Extra Brut (France, Champagne)

A quick search reveals only a couple of mentions here of this producer. However as the wines have started to pop up quite often on Instagram and a Champenoise friend has praised the wine and the man behind them I really wanted to try one myself. BdB from the CdB is our preferred style and this bottle turned out to be an extremely solid example of the more steely, reductive end of the spectrum. It is the sort of Champagne you open and finish in one short sitting as the drinkability is just tremendous.

  • NV Etienne Calsac Champagne L’échappée Belle Extra Brut - France, Champagne (1.10.2017)
    Mis en Bouteille May 23rd 2014, disgorgement February 2017. Extremely fresh, bright and saline on the nose with notes of green apple, crushed rock and baking spices. Strong effervescence reveals a bone dry and acidic, highly energetic wine underneath. Delightful bitter and tangy tones, this is the kind of wine that puts a smile on its drinker’s face. The mouth-watering, palate-cleansing finish makes it just perfect for sushi and Chaource. A very well-balanced and harmonious Extra Brut.

Posted from CellarTracker

Brad Baker tipped me to Etienne Calsac before I visited Champagne earlier this year. I brought back a few bottles bought at retail there, but I haven’t opened any of them yet.

What’s CdB, incidentally? The Côte de Blancs? I love initialisms, but I hadn’t seen that one. But BdB from CdB pretty much sums up my preferred style too.

CdB = Cote des Bar?

Côte des Blancs indeed. I don’t know if it is something anyone anywhere says - I certainly haven’t before - but there is a first time for everything I guess. Please do share your TNs when you decide to pop this or any of the other cuvées!