Champagne Stéphane Regnault, Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs 'Dorien' No. 45 NV

Smells a little riper and more orangey than the Lydien No. 29, which was more stony citrus. A little more intense but equally crisp. Deep sour-citrus purity. Bone dry, very long. Appetite-whetting in the extreme

'Dorien 45' is 100% Chardonnay, from vines planted between 1950 and 1980. This is the third release of Dorien, from three vintages, 2014, 2015 and 2016 disgorged in 2022. All future bottlings will come from the solera started in 2014. 4000 bottles produced.

Stéphane Regnault, a true Renaissance man, shifted from aerospace engineering to sommelier roles in vibrant London and Paris. In 2007, he took over his family’s vineyards in Le Mesnil sur Oger. Crafting Champagne exclusively from his 4 hectares of certified organic and biodynamic vineyards on the prestigious Côtes des Blancs, Stéphane uses only grapes he meticulously tends himself. An inspired young winemaker and avid jazz saxophonist, Stéphane names his cuvées after jazz modes—ancient musical scales that resonate with the character of his wines. His innovative winemaking approach involves creating a trilogy of site-specific cuvées, each enriched with a perpetual reserve. This tradition began with his debut vintage in 2014.