A pale lemon robe with very active perlage consisting of tiny bubbles and creamy texture. The nose is powerful with red apples and red cherries immediately. There’s a burst of pears and peaches that are excellent and let’s you know this champagne is going to be a fun adventure. Chalk and wet limestone to go with the soft butter and melon.
Lots of people talk about natural wine but this is natural wine. No sulphites added and organic, these are singular wines that really, truly speak of the terroir. Nothing added, nothing taken away. Brut Nature so the acidity is quite zippy but never overpowering. Vinous and delicious, this has so much character going for it. 47/47/6 CH/PM/PN and that Meunier really sings here.
Electric on the tongue with that acidity. Green and red apples with a touch of almond and limes. This is a gloriously fun wine that gives you everything you want. Now to try their other cuvées. — 19 days ago
Pretty, floral, pithy with driving acidity and delicate perlage — 3 years ago
Charpentier is a small company part of Vignerons Indépendants founded in 1974 in Villers-sous-Châtillon. The brand was created after the marriage of Jacky Charpentier and Claudine Claisse, both first child of two landowners in the Champagne region.
Most of the vineyards are located on the right side of Marne Valley, on chalk. Pinot Meunier is the main product of the valley. Tradition Brut is the entry level, composed mostly by Meunier, with some traces of pinot noir. Chardonnay, if present, is unnoticeable in the final product.
This tradition brut shows great yellow color with golden notes, with a fine persistent perlage. The nose is based on flowers and fruits, starting from citric and expanding to sweeter notes with time. A delicious touch of apricot and candied oranges complete the bouquet. Very pleasant taste, full-bodied and with a prolonged aftertaste. The acidity we found in the nose is confirmed in the sip. A very good pairing with food, we used it as an all-around appetizer and it managed to pair well even with raw fish. — 4 years ago
This was outstanding. Just so nice. A light amber hue with impressive perlage. Tons of tight, tiny bubbles. The nose is beautifully perfumed with fruit immediately. On the nose, so much chalky goodness. Citrus fruits dominate with peaches and pears. Jasmine and fragrant, dainty flowers. There’s just the suggestion of apple goodness that comes in waves. Oranges and apricots abound with dried herbs.
The last vintage by Guy Bouvet, the grandfather of Antoine Bouvet who only crafts stellar, stupendous champagnes. And now we see where he learned it from. Thrilling and welcoming all at once. The acidity from the Extra Brit dosage is high but never out of whack. Having spent almost ten years resting on lees, this is a mature well developed champagne. 60/40 Chardonnay/Pinot Noir and impeccably structured.
Where this really gets exciting is in the mouth. Long and elegant with trace amounts of mild spice, this wine is alive and kicking. Citrus fruits take center stage but the Pinot shows with just a touch of cherry. Long, exquisite finish that keeps going and going and going. A beautiful champagne with a beautiful story. — 8 days ago
Not as complex as a vintage champagne, but flavor is very balanced and a pleasure to drink. Very nice perlage. — 4 years ago
A truly beautiful pale copper robe with effusive perlage and effervescence. Smelling this is an experience unto itself. The nose is intense with aromas of brown sugar, honeysuckle, and streaks of honey. Apples sprinkled with cinnamon and delicious baked bread. Cherries and cream with a dollop of mint. It just keeps going. A little aged cheese with dried earth just for good measure.
Named for the year that the Philipponnant family arrived in the village of Ay and still going strong, year in and year out. 70/30 Pinot Noir/Chardonnay, all from Grand Cru plots and first press juice. Aged for 8 years sur lie and disgorged in February of 2020 with an extra brut dosage of 4.5 g/l. Another case of an outstanding 2012 champagne, one that can last for years and years.
Racy acidity that does calm down over time with terrific structure and balance. A really nice level of complexity and drama here. The palate mirrors the nose with apples and honey with fresh cinnamon bread. Really quite vinous in nature, as well. An exciting and contemplative champagne from a prestigious house. I could drink this everyday.
— 5 months ago
Lovely round and fine perlage. Awesome to drink now — 3 years ago
2016 vintage. Crisp green apple, bright acidity, voluminous mousse. A real treat from Valdobbiadene! #organicgrapes — 4 years ago