The Val Frion vineyard is the centerpiece of the Brocard family’s holdings, with its limestone soils of both Portlandian and Kimmeridgian origin, gives both chardonnay and pinot noir varietal champagnes. Cuvée Aube Saline represents the former, a lifted, aromatic expression, with a floral nose and citrus, vanilla, and fresh hazelnut on the palate. As is Thibaud’s style, Aube Saline threads the needle, being both thoroughly satisfying and crisp, refreshing, and decisive.
Vinification
Grapes are manually harvested and gently pressed in a vertical Coquard press. Only the heart, or the cœur de cuvée, of the first pressing is utilized. The grapes are fermentated spontaneously with native yeasts in stainless steel, including MLF. After secondary fermentation in bottle, the wine ages on its lees for 4-6 years before disgorgement, and is bottled non-dosage (brut nature), unfiltered and without cold-stabilization.
Region
Barséquanais, Côte des Bar, Champagne
Village
Celles-sur-Ource
Site
Val Frion
Grapes
100% Chardonnay
Vine Age
Planted in 1975
Soil
Kimmeridgian and Portlandian limestone & clay
Alcoholic Fermentation
Spontaneous with native yeast in stainless steel
Malolactic Fermentation
Spontaneous
Dosage
None (Brut Nature)
Aging
48-72 months on the lees
Disgorgement
January 2026
Filtration/Cold-Stabilization
None
Farming
Practicing Organic
Vegan
Yes
ABV
12.5%
Pack Size
12x750mL