2013 A. Margaine Champagne 1er Cru Blanc de Blancs Special Club 750mL

“The wine stole into the market late last year and I could only glance at it; this was my first real taste. It immediately takes its place among the elite Club bottlings in the 20 years I’ve been doing this, Gimonnet 2002 and 2008, Chiquet 2008, Hebrart’s own 2002 and 2008, and to me it offers every single thing we can wish for from young Champagne. An astonishing fragrance, a little like the 2006, actually. Masterly and serene, with a freaky-long finish that runs a pure fruit throughout its many octaves and registers. Ur-fruit and all fruits, with chalk as a discreet fellow-traveler, but only at first; with the second pour the chalk soars to the front. For a wine of such repose this has hyperactive interplay, like somebody doing an incredibly complicated trick and making it look easy. The wine: Disg. 7/2016. 35% PN Mareuil old-vines from the climats Faubourg D’enfer, Croix Blanche and Pruche. 20% PN from Aÿ, from Cheuzelles, Pierre Robert and Le Leon. 25% CH from Mareuil old-vines, from Beauregard, Ramonette and Buisson Saint Loup. Finally 20% CH, a Coeur de Cuvée from Oiry and Chouilly.” – Terry Theise

Appellation: Mareuil-surAÿ 1er Cru, Aÿ, Oiry and Chouilly Grand Cru, Champagne

Cepage: 55% Pinot Noir, 45% Chardonnay

Vintage: 2012

Soil: limestone parcels with some calcareous clay and limestone

Vineyard: Chardonnay from Mareuil-sur-Aÿ 1er Cru (Beauregard, Ramonette and Buisson Saint Loup), Oiry and Chouilly. Pinot Noir from Mareuil-surAÿ 1er Cru (Faubourg D’enfer, Croix Blanche and Pruche), Aÿ (Cheuzelles, Pierre Robert and Le Leon)

Age of vines: 35+ years old

Press: Traditional Coquard basket press (4000kg)

Harvest: mid-late September

Elevage: Stainless steel 

Malo: yes 

Disgorged: July 2016 

En tirage aging: 48 months