Lallier R.018 Brut, Champagne

Navigating a trajectory of rising quality in the wake of mushrooming growth is a monumental undertaking for any establishment, and the rise and rise of the young house of Lallier over the past 15 years stands as an exemplar of just what can be achieved. Established only in 1996, the family’s history in Aÿ spans five generations, having overseen Deutz from 1906 until Louis Roederer took ownership in 1996.

Chef de cave since 2000, fourth-generation Champagne winemaker Francis Tribaut purchased Lallier when René-James Lallier retired in 2004. At the time, production totalled only 50,000 bottles. In just one decade, it mushroomed to a cool 400,000 bottles, where it is capped today. Its clean, well-balanced and fruit-focused champagnes have stepped up another level again this year.