Deutz Blanc de Blancs 2019 is a refined expression of 100% Chardonnay, sourced primarily from the Côte des Blancs, with a small portion from Montagne de Reims. This vintage benefits from six years of lees ageing, imparting a smooth texture and complexity. The benefit here is the Magnum Effect, which brings that smoky charm, the ripe fruit of the vintage wafts across the palate with a mix of patisserie shop richness. Enjoy this magnum now, but it will really reward from more years cellaring.
Champagne Deutz, located in Ay, one of Champagne’s most historic and renowned terroirs for Pinot Noir, on predominantly south-facing hillsides. The house was founded in 1838 by William Deutz and Pierre-Hubert Geldermann, two wine merchants from Aix-La-Chapelle. In 1993, Louis Roederer acquired Champagne Deutz and appointed Fabrice Rosset as CEO.
From the late 1990’s, Rosset revitalized the brand, generating substantial income and reinvesting approximately €30 million into the cellars, winery, and infrastructure. Under the leadership of Chef de Cave Michel Davesne, who joined in 2003 and retired in 2023, the quality of Deutz’s wines significantly improved. Production, which was 600,000 bottles in 1996, has grown to 2.5 million bottles and continues to expand.
In 2022, Marc Hoellinger became CEO, ushering Deutz into a new era defined by a commitment to sustainable viticulture. The Maison owns 42 hectares of vineyards and sources additional grapes from growers across 300 hectares, all located within a 30-minute drive of the winery. Uniquely, Deutz produces three prestige cuvées: William Deutz, Amour de Deutz Blanc de Blancs, and Amour de Deutz Rosé. The Blanc de Blancs cuvées are among Champagne’s most refined, renowned for their precision, delicacy, and exceptional finesse. By 2023, the estate had transitioned to 100% organic farming, with certification targeted for 2026.
Weather: The 2010 harvest was marked by a very cold winter with heavy frost patches. Weather improved in the spring and early summer months with cool and consistent temperatures. During August and September storms and humid conditions complicated the ripening process and much of the Pinot Noir being thin skinned largely succumbed to rot. Dom Perignon's vineyards in the Grand Cru village of Verzenay produced some outstanding Pinot Noir, but there weren't many examples of great PN from 2010. By contrast Chardonnay was super high quality, one of the best Chardonnay years within the last ten years.
Technical Information:
Vineyards: Côte des Blancs & Montagne de Reims | 33% Avize, 40% Mesnil and Oger, 17% Chouilly, 6% Trepail & 4% Vertus
Grape Varieties: 100% Chardonnay
Dosage: 6.5 g/l
Ageing: 5 years on the lees
Alcohol: 12%
Disgorged: 2025
Drink: Now to 2036+
Tasting Note: On the nose you immediately see the mineral chalky notes with a hint of "gunflint" character so distinctive in magnums, underneath you see citrus and grapefruit with buttery apple notes. The lees ageing and mostly Côte des Blancs fruit has given the champagne a rich smooth texture, the richness of buttery pastry extends the long lingering finish.
Champagne Deutz, based in Ay, one of Champagne's historic and most renowned terriors. Founded in 1838 through the association of William Deutz with Pierre-Hubert Geldermann, both wine merchants from Aix-La-Chapelle. Their idea was that to make a great wine, first a great vineyard was needed, so they set off in the search for top local vineyards. Deutz soon became an international brand with Deutz and Geldermann using their knowledge and expertise of markets in their favour. Successors followed suit and tradition and through the 20th Century continued to purchase excellent vineyards in some of Champagnes best villages.
In 1993, Louis Roederer partnered with Deutz to save it from going into financial trouble, with Champagne Louis Roederer's help Deutz has increased production threefold and vastly improved methods and modernising cellars. Fabrice Rosset was the CEO for a thirty year period, 1993-2023. And oversaw a significant expansion and quality improvement. From 2022 Marc Hoellinger took over the role of CEO. Deutz still strives for excellence, terrior and sustainable viticulture.
Location:
Ay
Chef de Cave History at Champagne Deutz:
Caroline Latrive 2022 to present: she was formerly the cellar master at Champagne Ayala, which is just up the road from Champagne Deutz.
Michel Davesne 2003 to 2023 is now retired. He played a pivotal role in guiding Champagne Deutz through a period of rapid expansion. When he joined in 2003, the company was producing 600,000 bottles annually, and by the time of his retirement, production had grown to 2.5 million bottles. Working alongside the now-retired CEO Fabrice Rosset, Deutz invested approximately €30 million in expanding the cellars.
In 2004, the company modernized and expanded its production facilities. A new disgorging line was introduced, boosting capacity to 3,000 bottles per hour, while the incorporation of jetting technology improved both the quality and consistency of the wines. The construction of a new fermentation hall allowed for the addition of new tanks (100-125 hl), enabling the winery to produce wines by village and even parcel, drawing on the estate's diverse vineyard holdings.
By 2011, growing sales prompted further investment. Fermentation capacity was increased from 17,000 hl to 30,000 hl, and additional stainless steel vessels were introduced, ranging from 25 hl to 300 hl, further enhancing the winery’s flexibility and production capabilities.
Annual production: 2,500,000 bottles