Established in Chigny-les-Roses in 1625, Champagne Cattier was born out of adversity, driven by the boldness and resilience of its founder, Jean Cattier.
In 1950, Cattier’s son acquired the renowned Clos du Moulin, one of Champagne’s first historic clos. Today, Alexandre Cattier represents the 13th generation of vineyard owners and the fourth generation since Jean Cattier to produce the family’s Champagnes. A trained oenologist, he took over the management of the House in 2011 alongside his cousin Agathe, ensuring the continuity of the family business. The House has remained family-owned and independent, with each generation contributing its courage and expertise.
The family cultivates 33 hectares of certified vineyards, located primarily in the terroirs of Chigny-les-Roses, Rilly-la-Montagne and Ludes. Champagne Cattier crafts 13 cuvées, including its most iconic, Clos du Moulin Brut Premier Cru.
Among them is the Brut Millésimé 2016 – the result of the meeting of three essential elements. The first is terroir, surrounding the estate on the northern slopes of the Montagne de Reims, overlooking the city of Reims and classified as Premier Cru. These soils, combined with their unique exposure, give the wines a distinctive identity defined by finesse, freshness and elegance.
The second is the year itself. Every vintage tells a story shaped by the conditions of the growing season. The 2016 vintage proved to be an exceptional year, producing grapes of outstanding quality and giving rise to a wine with a distinctive personality.
Finally, there is the House’s expertise. It is this savoir-faire that fully reveals the potential of the harvest and leaves its signature on the wine.
Freshness and elegance are the guiding principles of this cuvée. Unlike sunnier vintages such as 2015 or 2018, which display a more generous expression, 2016 is a finely sculpted wine revealing delicate notes of red and black berries, enhanced by hints of citrus and confectionery that bring vibrant freshness. The palate is long, perfectly balanced and extends this sensation of freshness with remarkable refinement.
As an aperitif, this vintage will appeal to lovers of Champagnes with character, thanks to its balance of tension, complexity and elegance. At the table, it pairs beautifully with fish in sauce, shellfish, seafood and oysters, enhancing the delicacy of their flavours.
“For several generations, our family has crafted its vintage Champagnes using a blend that remains faithful to the three Champagne grape varieties: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Meunier, combined in equal proportions,” explains Alexandre Cattier. “Conceived by my grandfather, this composition has become one of the defining expressions of our identity. While it has occasionally been adapted to suit certain vintages, it was the obvious choice for the 2016 vintage, allowing each grape variety to express its full character while enhancing the harmony of the blend.”
