The 2014 Cuvée William Deutz opens with elegant notes of white flowers, lemon, and ripe stone fruit. On the palate it is complex and vibrant, with fine bubbles and a harmonious balance between fruit, bright acidity, and a subtle nutty depth from extended ageing. The finish is long and mineral-driven, with a hint of brioche and a chalky finale that invites another sip.
93 POINTS
Robert Parker
Cuvée William Deutz is a prestige cuvée from the Deutz house, located in Aÿ in the heart of Champagne. It is made exclusively from grapes grown in Grand Cru and Premier Cru vineyards—particularly around Aÿ, Bouzy, and Le Mesnil-sur-Oger. The region is known for its chalk-rich soils, which give the wine a taut minerality and precise acidity. Aÿ’s microclimate offers warm, sunny slopes that ensure ripeness, while retaining the elegant, cool tension that is Champagne’s hallmark. The combination of powerful Pinot Noir parcels from Aÿ and the finesse of Côte des Blancs Chardonnay creates a wine with both depth and freshness.
About Champagne Deutz
William Deutz and Pierre-Hubert Geldermann were originally wine merchants in Germany. Fascinated by the phenomenon of Champagne, they moved to the region in 1830 to begin trading in Champagne wines. In 1838 they founded their Champagne house, Deutz & Geldermann, in the town of Aÿ. Convinced that the finest grapes were the cornerstone of great wines, they began acquiring vineyards and producing their own Champagne. Combining technical expertise with strong knowledge of the wine market, the pair developed Deutz into an internationally recognised name.
The next generation takes over
René Deutz and Alfred Geldermann inherited the business in the late 1860s and increased Champagne sales, primarily in countries such as the United Kingdom, Germany, and Russia. They took their place among Champagne’s great houses and in 1882 became a founding member of the Syndicat des Grandes Marques de Champagne, alongside prominent names such as Krug, Veuve Clicquot, Ruinart, and Moët & Chandon. The daughters of Alfred and René married two local vineyard owners, René Lallier and Charles Van Cassel, who took over management in 1906.
Charles died in 1919, leading to a period of severe economic decline. His widow, Marie Deutz, had to reinvest a large part of her considerable personal fortune in the company to keep it afloat, and appointed a new commercial director to replace the late Charles. Not until 1934 did a more stable daily rhythm and healthier finances return. René Lallier died in 1938, leaving it to his son Jean to guide Deutz through the trials of the Second World War. The house survived at around 200,000 bottles per year until the 1950s. Jean eventually rebuilt the Champagne reserves while implementing numerous technical upgrades in the winery. Deutz endured—allowing Jean’s son André to take over a well-run business in 1972, with vineyards of outstanding quality.
In 1993, the Rouzaud family acquired a majority stake in Champagne Deutz. They already owned significant vineyards, including Louis Roederer. The family’s right-hand man, Fabrice Rosset, was appointed president in 1996, and the company invested close to €30 million in advanced equipment, expanded winery capacity, additional vineyards, and increased access to the very finest grapes.
Vineyards and production
Champagne Deutz manages around 300 hectares, of which 46 hectares are directly owned or cultivated, mostly in and around Aÿ—truly a paradise for Pinot Noir. Fermentation takes place in small stainless-steel tanks to best preserve the identity and distinctive character of the grapes and their terroir. It is carried out at low temperatures to retain aromas and avoid unwanted oxidation. Under Fabrice Rosset, Deutz increased its sales from 600,000 bottles in 1996 to over 2.5 million in 2019.
All wines are made with the greatest care. For example, all Champagnes are produced exclusively from the first pressing. Deutz refuses to adopt mass-production methods, considering them incompatible with the traditional craftsmanship required to produce great Champagne.
