A & C Toullec

A & C Toullec is a small family estate in Rilly-la-Montagne on the Montagne de Reims. Anthony and Clémence Toullec run it in the fifth generation. The initials in the name stand for the two of them. The house works as a récoltant-manipulant and is one of the independent growers of Champagne.

Vineyards and approach

The estate covers 5 hectares, split into 24 plots. They lie in Rilly-la-Montagne, Sacy, Montbré, Taissy and Avenay-Val-d'Or. All five villages are classified Premier Cru, and Reims is only a few kilometres away. The vineyards are planted mainly with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Gault&Millau lists these two as the grape varieties of the house.

The estate holds the HVE Level 3 and Viticulture Durable en Champagne (VDC) certifications. Both stand for integrated, environmentally gentle crop protection that supports biodiversity. The estate does not mention an organic certification. The wines are vinified plot by plot. Many cuvées age in wood, and some of the reserve wines in foudre.

The cuvées

The range is lean and favours low dosages:

• Assemblage: Brut made from 50% Chardonnay and 50% Pinot Noir, Premier Cru.
• Chardonnay Extra Brut: 100% Chardonnay from Rilly-la-Montagne, 9 to 10 months on the lees in 300-litre barrels, dosage 2 g/l.
• Pinot Noir Extra Brut: 9 to 10 months in 600-litre barrels, dosage 3 g/l.
• Blanc de Noirs Extra Brut: 100% Pinot Noir, 7 to 8 months in barrel.
• Les Hautes Varennes: Chardonnay from a single plot in Rilly, vinified entirely in Montagne de Reims oak barrels.
• Rosé: Pinot Noir and Chardonnay with a proportion of red wine from Bouzy.

There is also a Coteaux Champenois made from Chardonnay. It comes from a perpetual reserve that ages in foudre.

Visits and tasting

Visits are by appointment only, Monday to Saturday according to the website. The growers show you the cuverie, chai and cellar, and three cuvées are tasted. The estate also points to a panoramic view over several vineyards of Champagne. The address is 10 Rue des Rozais, 51500 Rilly-la-Montagne.