Cuvée William has been the flagship expression of Champagne Deutz for over half a century, since it was first released commercially in 1961. The grapes were pressed and vinified at Deutz’s state of the art winery in Aÿ, with each individual parcel being vinified in its own separate tank.

Champagne Deutz owns 42 hectares of vineyards, which supply 20% of its grapes. The rest of the grapes are sourced from growers, many of whom have been working with Deutz for generations. Grapes are harvested from the Montagne de Reims, Côte des Blancs, and Vallée de la Marne, with over 80% of the grapes coming from vineyards that are rated Premier or Grand Cru.

Technical Information:
Vineyards: 100% Grand Cru; Pinot Noir: 62% - Aÿ, Bouzy, Ambonnay & Verzenay - Chardonnay: 34% - Avize & le Mesnil-sur-Oger - Meunier: 4% - Pierry
Grape Varieties: 62% Pinot Noir, 34% Chardonnay & 4% Meunier
Disgorged: June 2019
Dosage: 8.8 g/l
Lees Ageing: 10 years
Alcohol: 12%
Drink: Now to 2030

Tasting Note: The distinct Deutz nose, a combination of chalky character & smoky reductive notes, below this lies a lot of fruit, pear, bright red apple, grapefruit and pineapple with spice. The ten years lees ageing has broadened the mouth feel and texture and other fruit come through like quince and dark red cherry. There is a richness to the fruit and lovely texture and my fellow taster used a term “there is a lovely flow through the palate” it does move through flowing across your palate. There is freshness from acidity, guessing most or all goes through malolactic since its gentle for a 2008. Tasting 10 minutes later there is more citrus like spiced lemon and bitter orange. At the time I tasted it I didn’t know the grape blend and noted “probably mainly PN & 30% Chardonnay” and that turns out to be roughly true and that was the taste experience. Has great finesse and tension with lightness and salinity to finish. I think for today I rate 18+/20 allowing room for an extra half point perhaps over time. Nick Baker 29th November 2020.

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.
Currently under the leadership of Fabrice Rosset, Deutz still strives for excellence, terrior and sustainable viticulture.

Location: Ay
Cellar Master: Michel Davesne
Annual production: 2,000,000 bottles