Champagne Sylvie Moreau, a family-owned grower-producer in the Côte des Bar subregion of Champagne, traces its roots to the early 1960s when André and Micheline Moreau were among the first to replant vines in the villages of Saint-Euphraise and Clairizet after phylloxera devastation. Sylvie Moreau and her husband Olivier took over in the early 1990s, expanding the estate to about 11 hectares across 25 parcels in Vindey and nearby areas, with a focus on minimal intervention, sustainable viticulture (certified organic since 2023), and terroir-driven wines from Kimmeridgian limestone soils.

The 2011 Extra Brut Edition n°06 "Collection Privée" belongs to their prestigious, limited-edition series—ephemeral cuvées numbered sequentially, often vintage-dated or single-parcel selections vinified in barrel, aged extensively on lees (9 years here), and dosed lightly (1-4 g/L) for tension and complexity. The 2011 base vintage delivered high acidity and concentration from a cool, low-yield year, with a 50/50 Pinot Noir and Chardonnay blend sourced from estate plots, yielding only 1,480 bottles of pale gold fizz marked by brioche, citrus, chalk minerality, and oxidative depth.

Why You'll Love It

• Rare Prestige Cuvée: One of the Collection Privée's earliest standout editions, showcasing Sylvie's mastery of long lees aging for creamy texture and nutty evolution, akin to top growers like Selosse.

• Terroir Transparency: Kimmeridgian soils impart vivid chalk and saline notes, with 2011's ripe acidity balancing wild honey, green apple, and spice—finesse over power.

• Ageworthy Gem: Less than 1,000 cases produced. Drinking beautifully now or cellar though 2030.

How to Serve It

• Temperature: Chill to 46-50°F for optimal bead and aroma lift; avoid ice-cold to let oxidative layers emerge.

• Glassware and Pairs: Use a Champagne flute or white Burgundy glass; ideal with oysters, lobster thermidor, or aged Comté for gastronomic synergy.