Vincent Cuillier, Brut Nature ‘Chemin des Rois' 2019

Cuillier is a relatively new producer who makes a tiny amount of wine. As a result, his Champagne is relatively unknown. His Champagne is made with zero additives, and he plants different types of trees around his land to enrich the soil, all in an effort to let the vineyards do the talking. Those vineyards, some of the only sand-based ones in Champagne, produce wines with as much texture, nuance, and elegance as any from the big-name growers that tend to dominate today’s conversations.

The flavors here are familiar – pear, brioche, almond – but simply purer than you may have encountered before.