Deutz

Admittedly it has been a few years since I last tasted the Deutz Champagnes, so I was not fully prepared for the consistently outstanding quality of virtually all these new releases. Although Deutz has been owned by Roederer since 1992, this is the only property in the group that is run in an autonomous fashion, as the Rouzaud family didn’t want to risk losing the estate’s unique identity by consolidation winemaking functions. The Deutz Champagnes undergo full malolactic fermentation and at their best offer a polished, creamy style that drinks well early but that can also age. These new releases from Deutz are all recommended, but I found the wines required quite a bit of air to show at their finest. ANTONIO GALLONI, Wine Advocate