2016 Pierre Péters Brut Blanc de Blancs Cuvée Speciale Les Chetillons Grand Cru

The 2016 Brut Cuvée Spéciale Les Chétillons is an explosive, heady wine. It is, to me, a quintessentially modern Chétillons that offers plenty of Mesnil energy, yet also has more than enough fruit to avoid any feeling of the austerity that once characterized these wines. Crushed rocks, slate, mint, lemon peel and white flowers are all beautifully delineated throughout. The decision to delay the release of this wine by a year going forward seems very well judged. Today, the 2016 is showing so much better than it did last year. Dosage is 4 grams per liter. Disgorged: July 2023.

The 2016 Brut Blanc de Blancs Cuvée Spéciale Les Chétillons is showing beautifully, wafting from the glass with aromas of yellow orchard fruit, crisp peaches, freshly baked bread, warm biscuits and hazelnuts. Medium to full-bodied, pillowy and textural, it's layered, racy and fine-boned, with a bright spine of acidity, good concentration and a chalky finish. This comparatively approachable Les Chétillons was disgorged in November 2022 with four grams per liter dosage.

The 2016 Brut Cuvée Spéciale Les Chétillons is gorgeous. Light on its feet and intensely aromatic, the 2016 is an absolute delight. Dried lemon peel, almond, crushed flowers, tropical fruit and chamomile all grace this super-expressive Chétillons. Light inflections of botrytis linger. Slightly forward aromas and flavors suggest the 2016 will be an early-drinking Chétillons, but I doubt that will be an issue for most readers. If anything, the 2016 shows the kind of complexity that usually only comes with time. It's a fine effort in a challenging vintage. Disgorged: November 2022. Dosage is 4 grams per liter.