Chartogne-Taillet Brut Rosé NV

Description

Alexandre Chartogne is one of Champagne’s brightest young talents – his pure, energetic wines are well on the way to setting a new regional standard. This producer is based in the northernmost outpost of the Champagne region, seven kilometres north of Reims in Merfy. This is one of a crescent of villages of the Massif de Saint-Thierry, an area that has been planted with vines at least since the time of the Roman Empire. The Benedictine monks of the neighbouring Abbey of Saint-Thierry expanded the vineyards in the 7th century and carefully mapped out the different terroirs.

The Domaine itself dates back to 1920 but it was only as recently as 2006 that things really started to change. Fresh from a stage with Anselme Selosse, Alexandre returned to Chartogne-Taillet with the ideal that the transmission of terroir would come only through careful work in the vineyard. To this end no chemicals, herbicides or insecticides are used, cultivation is only when required, sheep and chickens roam the vineyards and organic compost is used where necessary. All effort is on maximising life in the soil.

In the cellar each parcel is vinified separately. Primary fermentation is wild, and largely in second-hand barriques (although Chartogne has also used concrete eggs for some time). In most cases the base wines are aged for nine months (far longer than most Champagne) before assemblage and tasting. The second fermentation in the bottle is induced using yeasts selected from each specific parcel. Dosage is low and, as Chartogne hones his style, we find it’s in lower proportions each year.

Alexandre Chartogne’s reputation as one of Champagne’s most thoughtful and ambitious growers shows through in his wines.  Notes from importer, Imbibo.

“Meticulous farming, non interventionalist farming and aging in cask are some of the signatures of these deeply personal, expressive Champagnes.” Antonio Galloni, Vinous

“Selosse as mentor speaks volumes in these wines; complex, vinous, often oxidative (in balance) and energetic.” Mike Bennie, The Wine Front

“This was already a fantastic house before young Alexandre Chartogne took over from his parents, and now he’s turned the family domaine into one of the iconic [wineries] of the modern Champagne movement. A disciple of Selosse, Chartogne follows the same non-interventionist ways to produce exceedingly vinous Champagnes from his home village of Merfy.”  Rajat Parr, The Sommelier’s Atlas of Taste

Chartogne-Taillet’s delicious rosé is based on a similar blend to this producer’s Cuvée Sainte Anne: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Meunier. Depending on the year, the base wine is combined with a bit of Coteaux Champenois from either the Les Orizeaux plot in Merfy or the Les Fontaines plot in Saint-Thierry–both highly regarded sites. Fruit for the base wine comes from mature parcels, including Les Brets, Les Fontaines and Les Grands Champs. These sand-rich plots contribute to the wine’s vibrancy and finesse. The wine matures in 228- and 350-litre casks and is disgorged with low dosage.

92 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media “… another gorgeous NV Champagne from Alexandre Chartogne. Pliant, bold and resonant, with striking depth and exceptional balance, Le Rosé is just stunning in this tasting. Bright red berry fruit, blood orange, mint and rosewater envelop the palate in a deep, resonant Champagne that delivers the goods. Big time. “

RRP $168  Our Special Price $113.99 when you buy 6 or more of this wine.