Emmanuel Brochet, 'Le Mont Benoit' Champagne 2018

40% Pinot Noir, 35% Meunier, 25% Chardonnay 

Montagne de Reims, Champagne, France

The vinification was carried out in barrels, with 11 months on the lees. Zero Dosage.

In 1997, Brochet became a first-generation Champagne grower. Emmauel's vineyards are located in the little village of Villers-Aux-Noeux in the Montagne de Reims on the lieu-dit “Le Mont Benoit”. The single vineyard of 2.5ha is planted with Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier and situated on a slope divided in two parts; on the upper level the oldest vines were planted in 1962, on the lower level the youngest in 1984.

The soil is made of silt, clay and chalk. Emmanuel's approach is artisanal in the vineyards and in the cellar, all the work is done by him and almost entirely by hand. In 2011, the estate was certified organic though Emmanuel has farmed for the last 10 years without any chemicals. As he says the main goal is for the plant to find its balance without stressing it.

In the cellar, he uses a traditional vertical press. It allows him to press with precision some small batches. Only the cuvee is selected and brought to barrique for fermentation which is carried naturally, a small amount of SO2 is added after the malo ends. His wines are really pure, precise and showing minerality combined with ripeness and great pleasure.