In the village of Aÿ, one of Champagne’s few Grand Cru terroirs, Champagne Lallier has quietly cultivated a reputation for expressive, terroir-led wines since its founding in 1906. Though discreet in profile, the house is celebrated among insiders for its precision, purity, and deep respect for nature’s rhythms. With the introduction of R.021, the latest edition of its flagship Réflexion range, Lallier opens a new chapter – one that deepens its legacy while embracing a bold contemporary spirit.
At the heart of this evolution is Dominique Demarville, Lallier’s newly appointed Cellar Master and one of Champagne’s most respected names. Having previously held top roles at several grandes maisons, Demarville now brings his artistry to a house that values individuality over uniformity. “Réflexion is about working with what nature gives us each year – capturing it, not correcting it,” he says.
The Réflexion range, launched in 2014, turns away from the traditional Champagne model of consistency year after year. Instead, it celebrates the character of each harvest while retaining Lallier’s unmistakable style, defined by four foundational pillars: Freshness, purity, depth, and intensity. Each cuvée in the series carries a numerical label (R.010, R.020, and now R.021), signifying the vintage from which most of its grapes are sourced.
R.021 marks a particularly significant release, not only because it is the first crafted entirely under Demarville’s direction, but also because it introduces, for the first time in the series, a Brut Rosé alongside the classic Brut.
Made with a majority of grapes from the 2021 harvest, the R.021 Brut blends 49% Pinot Noir, 44% Chardonnay, and 7% Meunier, a varietal new to the Réflexion range. Despite a challenging growing season – spring frosts, rain, and limited yields – the resulting grapes surprised the team with remarkable finesse and freshness. The final blend includes 30% reserve wines from 2020, with a small proportion aged in oak barrels to enhance texture and complexity.
The wine opens with citrus notes of lime and mandarin, layered with brioche and fresh hazelnut. On the palate, it offers a crisp, clean expression with a subtle iodine salinity and a long, refined finish – an ideal companion to seafood or seasonal vegetable dishes.
Its counterpart, R.021 Brut Rosé, reveals a more expressive profile. Comprising 53% Pinot Noir (including 7% red wine from Bouzy), 41% Chardonnay, and 6% Meunier, this cuvée is vibrant yet poised. Notes of blood orange, kumquat, and red berries are followed by a palate marked by purity, tension, and a slight bitterness that elevates its freshness. It is a confident, structured rosé that speaks of both place and precision.
Together, the R.021 Brut and Brut Rosé represent the essence of Lallier’s philosophy: To reflect the truth of the harvest, honour the terroir, and invite the drinker to experience Champagne not as a formula, but as a story in motion.
As Champagne Lallier extends its global presence, the launch of R.021 signals not just a new release, but a reaffirmation of values: Nature, craftsmanship, and a deep belief that no two years – like no two wines – are ever the same.
Discover the R.021 experience at rarespirits.asia.
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