Description
The lieu-dit of Les Grandes Côtes sits on fascinating terroir of both Kimmeridgian and Portlandian soil—unique to the Côte des Bar region of southernmost Champagne and to Chablis and Sancerre. Comprising marl and fossil-rich limestone, Kimmeridgian soil imparts acidity and a notable minerality to vines, whereas Portlandian soil is harder and more brittle, containing less clay and no fossils, resulting in a fruitier wine profile. Through this Blanc de Noirs champagne, the Gerbais family unifies contrasting expressions of Pinot noir, conveying the balance, grace and power of both terroirs in captivating equilibrium. Champagne Pierre Gerbais is a fourth generation domain in the Aube. It is spearheaded today by the 20-something Aurélien Gerbais, unnervingly self-assured for his age yet soft-spoken and humble. At Gerbais, there are old vines, organic vineyard management, intelligence, respect, passion, relevance, training and drive enough to take this house to the very top of a small band of visionary champagne makers in the Aube.
