Colin Champagne Castille 1er Cru Blanc de Blancs Brut

Colin Champagne 1er Cru Blanc de Blancs “Castille” is the family’s emblematic cuvée, passed down from their grandmother, Geneviève Adnot. Crafted exclusively from Chardonnay grown in the Premier Cru village of Vertus, this Champagne is all about precision, energy, and vibrant freshness. Its pure Blanc de Blancs character highlights the finesse of Côte des Blancs terroir while honoring a cherished family tradition.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, this Champagne shows a pale, luminous gold color with fine, persistent bubbles that form a delicate mousse. The nose is elegant and chiseled, with aromas of green apple, lemon zest, white flowers, and chalky minerality, backed by hints of fresh brioche and hazelnut as it opens in the glass. On the palate, it is lively and precise, with a crisp, mouthwatering acidity that frames flavors of citrus, pear, and Granny Smith apple, layered with subtle notes of almond, biscuit, and wet stone. The texture is both creamy and taut, leading to a long, clean, mineral-driven finish that feels invigorating rather than heavy. Enjoyable now for its tension and freshness, it also has the structure to develop additional complexity over the next several years under good cellaring conditions.

Production
Sourced from Premier Cru vineyards around Vertus in the heart of the Côte des Blancs, this Blanc de Blancs is rooted in chalky, limestone-rich soils that naturally favor Chardonnay and impart a pronounced minerality. Grapes are typically harvested by hand to ensure careful selection of bunches and to preserve the integrity of the fruit. In the cellar, the must is gently pressed and fermented in temperature-controlled vessels, with the goal of preserving aromatic purity and finesse. The wine then undergoes secondary fermentation in bottle and extended aging on the lees, allowing it to gain texture, complexity, and fine bubbles before disgorgement and dosage.

Food & Serving
This Champagne’s energy and precision make it a natural match for delicate seafood such as oysters, scallop carpaccio, sushi, and lightly poached prawns, as well as goat cheese, young Comté, or simple dishes like roasted chicken with lemon and herbs. Serve well-chilled at around 8–10°C (46–50°F) to highlight its freshness and minerality. A short decant in a wide-bowled Champagne glass or giving it 10–15 minutes in the glass after pouring can help the aromas open up and reveal its full complexity.

Producer
Colin Champagne is a family-run grower in Champagne, rooted in the Premier Cru village of Vertus, where multiple generations have cultivated Chardonnay on some of the region’s most expressive terroirs. Known for their focus on Blanc de Blancs, they champion precise viticulture and careful, small-scale winemaking that brings out the purity and tension of Côte des Blancs fruit. The “Castille” cuvée, inherited from grandmother Geneviève Adnot, embodies the estate’s history and style, reflecting their reputation among Champagne enthusiasts for characterful, terroir-driven wines with a strong sense of place.