Valérie Frison now works with her son and oversees a beautiful 6 hectares winery, 93% planted in Pinot Noir and 7% in Chardonnay, to exerce her talents as a winemaker. Just part of their production is vinified on site as much of their production is sold to the local cooperative in Chassenay d'Arcs. The soils are essentially kimmeridgians (which can be found in Chablis in Burgundy, not so far from the Côte des Bar) with one parcel being in portlandian soil, giving the name to the wine of a similar name "Portlandia". The estate works organically, and received certification in 2010, yet with some biodynamic inspiration. Care is taken in the fields to harvest grapes at full maturity. At first, she was helped with winemaking by the well-known Maison Vouette et Sorbée when she started in 2007, but now she happily does everything on her own. Aging lasts for about 9 months in oak barrels, then the champagnes are transferred to “lattes”. Each wine is from a single harvest of the same year, but not declared as a vintage as a vintage Champagne must legally age 36 months on lattes. Winemaking is natural and no liqueur de dosage is added during disgorgement. The wines are vinified by plot, in barrel, with or without sulphur (according to their specific needs) by separating the second press during ageing. Later each is assembled to make two wines, "Goutan" and "Lalore". The first is a Blanc de Noirs and the second a Blanc de Blancs, even if Chardonnay only comprises 7% of the holdings of the estate. The wines are neither collé-ed or filtered and yet remain balanced and expressive. "Goustan", the Blanc de Noirs Brut Nature, is a singular Champagne that demonstrates the interest and spender of the wines from the Côte des Bar, such as Val Frison, full of purity and energy. "Lalore", from 100% Chardonnay, ages in oak and presents a limestone-like nose with a dense and creamy mouth, linear and almost austere for a Blanc de Blancs, but certainly a wine of purity and minerality. The final displays a gorgeous bitterness, a complete success. Val Frison, a Champagne to discover! Great vintages since the 1980's to be on the lookout for in Champagne in general: 1982, 1985, 1989, 1990, 1996, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2008, 2012, 2015 et 2018.
You can find Champagne wines and magnums from Val Frison at Vins & Millésimes as well as other Champagne houses, such as Bollinger, Dom Perignon, Roederer or Charles Heidsieck, and also smaller producers of Champagne, such as Egly Ouriet, Larmandier Bernier, Agrapart, Lahertefreres, Dehours & fils, Ruppert Leroy, Françoise Bedel, R. Pouillon, Eric Rodez, Chartogne Taillet, Selosse, Jacques Lassaigne or Benoit Marguet. Vins & Millesimes always offers the finest in aged wines and grands crus. All of our wines are always in stock and available for delivery.