Chavost Solera Ratafia de Champagne NV
Chavost Solera Ratafia de Champagne NV – alternate view 2
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Chavost Solera Ratafia de Champagne NV

Chavost
$45.00

Grape: Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier
Vintage: NV
Type: Sweet

This traditional fortified sweet wine is a vin de liqueur crafted from equal parts chardonnay and pinot meunier grape must. Chef de Cave Fabian Daviaux halts the native fermentation by fortifying the fresh juice with local grape brandy. The winemaking utilizes a solera aging system inside very old oak barrels to encourage texturally driven development over several years. Bypassing modern filtration, the wine is bottled without the addition of sulfites to protect its natural structure.

It pours a rich golden-straw color, opening with complex aromas of yellow orchard fruit, dried figs, and sweet spices. The palate is full-bodied and unctuous, balancing a velvety sweetness with a distinct, savory baseline. Concentrated flavors of baked apricot and salted caramel wrap around a dense mouthfeel. A clean thread of natural acidity runs through the center, keeping the profile lively over broad or heavy. It finishes long, leaving a lingering trace of dried fruit.

Fabian Daviaux has redefined the concept of a co-op as his numerous growers have committed to his preferred biodyamic viticulture, in turn creating beautifully pure, ripe and delicious Champagnes. What's more, with strong vineyard work comes the need for little - if any - sulfur addition, and most of his wines are never sulfured at all.

In the winery, the grapes are allowed to ferment naturally in stainless steel tanks after pressing. He currently adds no sulfur at bottling (a feat quite rare in Champagne). The wines are pure, transparent and easy to drink. Crafted to be immediately enjoyable, with incredible freshness and purity of fruit.

Champagne Chavost is located in Chavot-Courcourt. It is an interesting place in Champagne; technically, the village is part of the Coteaux-sud d’ Epernay which acts as a continuation to the Côte de Blancs. The top of the vineyards are full of limestone moving to more chalk mid slope.