Champagne Cristian Senez

Champagne house in Fontette, Côte des Bar.

Village: Fontette
Region: Côte des Bar
Cuvées in the guide: 12

History:‌ Champagne Cristian Senez was officially founded in 1973 by Cristian and Josette Senez. Cristian Senez started as a farm labourer and later became cellar master at the Fontette cooperative, where he planted his first vineyards in the 1950s. The business is now in the hands of the third generation, their daughter Angélique Roger and son-in-law Frédéric Roger (cellar master), who since 2019 have been assisted by granddaughter Marion.

Vineyards and Terroir: The estate has 28 to 30 hectares of its own vineyards in Fontette (Côte des Bar, Aube). The soil consists of chalky clay and marl, ideal for Pinot Noir (the dominant grape) and Chardonnay. The viticulture is reasoned and certified HVE (Haute Valeur Environnementale). In addition, the house buys grapes from approximately 34 hectares from other growers for a total production of approximately 350,000 bottles a year.

Approach: A distinctive speciality is the prevention of malolactic fermentation, which provides a higher acidity and preservation of fresh aromas. The Pinot Noir is often fermented without malolactic fermentation. For the Rosé the saignée method (maceration) is used instead of blending. The champagnes traditionally age on the lees and in barriques (for certain reserves).

Champagnes and Cuvées:

Blanc de Noirs: 100% Pinot Noir, aged for more than 30 months.
Carte Verte / Carte Blanche: Blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay (often 50/50 or 75/25).
Rosé: Made from 80% Pinot Noir and 20% Chardonnay via saignée.
Grande Réserve & Millésime: Vintage or non-vintage with long ageing (3-4 years).
Cuvée des Filles: Blanc de Blancs (Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc).
Ratafia: A spirit-based drink made from grape juice and cognac, with notes of apricot and honey.

Visits and tastings are possible at 6 Grande Rue, 10360 Fontette, with opening hours on weekdays and by appointment on Saturdays.

Cuvées by Cristian Senez

Cristian Senez Blanc de Noirs

Blanc de Noirs · Brut · 100% Pinot Noir

Blanc de noirs from Essoyes, Fontette and Champignol-lez-Mondeville.

Cristian Senez Brut Nature

Blend · Brut Nature · 40% Pinot Noir, 35% Chardonnay, 25% Pinot Blanc

Undosed blend including Pinot Blanc.

Cristian Senez CS73

Blend · Brut · 2002 · 75% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay

Vintage 2002 cuvée from Essoyes, sold to professionals.

Cristian Senez Cuvée des Filles

Blend · Brut · 2015 · 50% Pinot Blanc, 50% Chardonnay

Blend of Pinot Blanc and Chardonnay from Essoyes and Fontette.

Cristian Senez Cuvée Renoir

Blend · Brut · 50% Chardonnay, 50% Pinot Noir

Equal blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from the Aube.

Cristian Senez Grande Réserve

Blend · Brut · 75% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay

Long-aged reserve champagne from Essoyes.

Cristian Senez La Carte Blanche

Blanc de Noirs · Brut · 100% Pinot Noir

Brut from Pinot Noir grown in Fontette, Saint-Usage, Essoyes and Champignol-lez-Mondeville.

Cristian Senez Le Cornoyer

Extra Brut · 2014 · 100% Pinot Blanc

Single-parcel Pinot Blanc from the Le Cornoyer plot in Fontette.

Cristian Senez Millésime 2006

Blend · Brut · 2006 · 75% Chardonnay, 25% Pinot Noir

Vintage champagne from Essoyes, Chardonnay-led.

Cristian Senez Millésime Rosé de Saignée 2011

Rosé · Brut · 2011 · 80% Pinot Noir, 20% Chardonnay

Vintage rosé de saignée from Essoyes.

Cristian Senez Rosé de Saignée

Rosé · Brut · 2016 · 80% Pinot Noir, 20% Chardonnay

Rosé obtained by saignée of Pinot Noir.

Cristian Senez Rosé de Saignée Extra Brut

Rosé · Extra Brut · 2016 · 80% Pinot Noir, 20% Chardonnay

Extra brut rosé de saignée from the 2016 vintage.

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