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Nowack Champagne Sans Annee NV ['22 Base]

$8699
Use code 10OFF to get 10% off 12+ bottles
This is the bottle to reach for if you want to see what Flavien Nowack is doing in Vandières without starting at his single-parcel cuvées. The Sans Année ("without year," meaning non-vintage) comes from vineyards chosen to portray his home village, and they form an arc around the parcels he bottles on their own. Vandières sits in the Marne Valley, and it has no big-name reputation or famous neighbors to lean on. That's why Flavien, the eighth generation of his family to make wine there, keeps reworking his methods every year to prove the village can make world-class Champagne. Since taking over in 2011 he has moved the estate to organic and biodynamic farming. He doesn't chaptalize and doesn't aim for malolactic fermentation, and he takes the slow road on purpose: long élevage for the base wines, long aging under cork, and tirage with fresh juice. The 2022 base is 60% Pinot Meunier and 40% Chardonnay, with 10% reserve wines from 2012 to 2021 blended in. It was fermented with native yeasts plus strains isolated from the estate, aged entirely in oak barrels and vats, and finished Extra Brut. It's grower Champagne with a real point of view, and an easy way in to one of the Marne's most driven young vignerons.

Shipping

Every step of the journey is managed to uphold the integrity of each bottle.

  • Nationwide Access: Flat-rate shipping available to most U.S. states with delivery in 3-5 business days.
  • Temperature-Monitored Shipping: We closely monitor weather conditions and make informed decisions to ensure shipments travel safely, with insulated packaging and refrigerated transport available when required.
  • Wine-Specific Protective Packaging: Specialized materials designed to maintain label integrity and prevent breakage during transit.
  • Provenance Assured: All wines are maintained in climate-controlled conditions at our shop until the moment of dispatch.

Returns & Exchanges

We stand behind every bottle we sell.

  • If the wine is less than 10 years old and it is corked, you may return it to us for a full refund or exchange within 60 days of purchase. You must show us proof of purchase. We understand that you may not live near a shop and that it is difficult to ship open bottles of wine to us, so if there's any problem feel free to Contact Us and we'll work it out.
  • For wines older than 10 years, the consumer bears the risk of a faulty cork, but we accept returns of older bottles if the wine is faulty as a result of improper storage. Please come by the store or Contact Us if there is a problem.
  • We may, at our discretion and to the extent permitted by law, accept returns of unopened wines within 30 days of purchase if they were properly stored by the purchaser, subject to a 15% re-stocking fee.

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Email: help@flatiron-wines.com
Phone: (415) 780-1405


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More about Nowack

A young talent with a clear vision, Flavien Nowack has transformed the family estate over the last 10 years. For generations (the estate was founded in 1850), his family has grown and made wine in the village of Vandieres in the Marne. They produced traditional, blended Champagne, using conventional methods both in the vineyard and cellar.

After spending time under the tutelage of Emmanuel Brochet as well as other younger generation grower/producers, Flavian was convinced that his family estate contains the exceptional terroir needed to produce single vintage, single parcel bottlings. So in 2011, he took over and started the slow process of changing almost everything about how his family grows and makes Champagne.

Flavien is passionate that nothing should ever come between the purest expression of terroir. He farms organically, does not chaptalize, uses native yeast for the primary fermentation and does not seek malo-lactic fermentation. The secondary fermentation (prise de mousse) is with grape must, rather than selected yeasts and liqueur, and is aged in bottle under cork instead of crown cap. As a result, his Champagnes are lower in pressure than is typical which underscores the vinous quality of these exceptionally soft and delicate wines. Extended lees-aging results in an ultra-fine bead and lithe palate.

It is remarkable that 30 years after it began the grower revolution in Champagne continues unabated. Flavien Nowack is a part of the youngest generation to carry the flag. Inspired by their patron saint, Jacque Selosse, he is crafting wines that are rooted deeply in the traditions and terroir of Champagne that are uniquely delicious and put the region's immense potential on full display.

Wine Details

  • Grape Variety

    Chardonnay , Pinot Meunier

  • Vintage

    NV

  • Size

    750ml

  • Farming Practice

    Organic

  • Style

    Crisp , Fruity , Minerally

  • Sweetness

    Dry

  • Body

    Light Bodied

Flatiron's Take

From the Importer

Tasting Notes & Food Pairings

Perfect Pairings

Raw oysters with mignonette, gougères, salmon or yellowtail sashimi, fried chicken, or a wedge of young Comté.

Tasting Profile

Dry, lean and mineral. The bubbles are very fine, the body is light to medium, and the acidity is bright and crisp. Clean, dry finish.

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