Lamiable, Souffle D'Etoille Grand Cru, NV

Lamiable is based in Tours-sur-Marne (since 1650) and have 6ha of Grand Cru vines just to the north of the river on a due south-facing hillside, right at the eastern end of the Vallée de la Marne. Interestingly they contest that as their vines are a continuation of the same slope as Bouzy, they are actually on the Montagne de Reims. The recently retired Jean-Pierre Lamiable also worked as a doctor specializing in sports medicine, looking after high-level athletes preparing for the Olympics. He has now handed over the estate to his daughter Ophélie and her husband. At 45yo their vines are very old (which is extremely rare in Champagne where most vines are dug up and replaced as soon as they pass their maximum production point when just 20yo), all planted via massal selection on fine rootstocks.