Cazé-Thibaut Crayere

Tatler Champagne Guide 2024-2025

Grape Makeup:

55% Meunier; 45% Chardonnay

Sweetness Level:

Brut Nature

Ageing on Lees:

16 months

Price:

$$

Cellar:

Up to five years

Category:

Culinary

What

A 10-generation family of winemakers with a Maison founded in 1953 in the Marne Valley and now an organically farmed grower estate by terroir-fixated Fabien Cazé.

Where

Châtillon-sur-Marne, Vallée de la Marne; around 2.5ha in Châtillon-sur-Marne (east-facing) and Vandières (south-facing) from within the family holdings are used for Fabien’s Cazé-Thibaut label.

Why

The name Crayère refers to the cool underground cellar where Cazé’s wines undergo their slow barrel fermentation, helping preserve aromatic complexity and, often, retain some sharper malic acidity. The Meunier-heavy blend is showing the esoteric, ethereal side of this variety, with gorgeously subtle aromatics completely exposed, without any dosage, fining or filtration.

What Else

Showing a genuine affection for natural pest management, the underground cellars at Cazé-Thibaut have a resident family of bats that help keep the space fruit-fly free during the warmer times of the year. Cazé made a strong enough impression when he took the reins at the estate that he was invited to join Terre et Vins, the exclusive grower group that includes names like Agrapart and Bérêche, shortly after starting out.

Tasting Notes

This is very subtle on the nose, with a mild, wet clay earthiness, hints of white tea and white peppercorn—pretty and delicate but not sharp. It is broader on the palate, with a dried tangerine peel and microbiological sherry quality, giving notes of brine, Marcona almond and green olive edging into chervil that lend a sense of brightness despite fairly gentle acidity.

Try It With

Edgy contemporary Japanese or Cantonese fusion

When To Drink

Cold Entrées

Perfect For

The friend who collects sherry

Tatler Tip

This is a super austere one that can easily get overshadowed—drink slowly throughout an afternoon or evening to appreciate fully.

TL/DR

Light and subtle, with a fino sherry effect

Supplier

Fine Wine Experience