January 2025

Our January shipment may be the most exciting yet! We are featuring the champagnes of Adrien Rousseaux of Rousseaux Batteux in the Grand Cru Village of Verzenay.

Adrien’s great-grandfather Paul bottled his first Champagne in the beginning of the 20th century and his father Denis created the current brand Rousseaux-Batteux in 1976. Adrien has been in charge of the estate since 2012. He manages 2.6ha of vines spread across Verzenay, Verzy, Louvois and Villers-Marmery. The plots are small and generally old, the average age of vines is over 50 years. There is some new wood, around 10% on the wines but only to, ‘preserve a subtle sweetness and light exposure to oxygen’ to compliment the fruit from the vineyards. There are never any pesticides or herbicides used and the health of the vines is of the utmost importance.

He is a bit reclusive so a visit is almost like a golden ticket event. A walk through his cellar will show that Adrien's work is precise, purposeful and bordering on that of a perfectionist. The results are very small quantites of single plot, single varietal wines that are unlike anything else you can find. When you pull the cork you will find wines with a sense of place and grape. You will most certianly taste the vintage qualities as well as the unique vineyard. Adrien coaxes all he can from each plot without inserting himself, the winemaker, in to the equation. His name is already whispered amongst the 'in-the-know' champagne lovers. You can count yourselves amongst those who know now.

As always, if you love something head over to our store to buy more or if you don't see something you want let me know. We are the one stop for all your grower champagne needs. Stay tuned for an expanded shopping experience in 2025. But really you are family already so just drop a line and we will get you all you need!

Happy New Year from Le Deux,

Cat and Garth