Champagne Jean Marc Charpentier
The Charpentier family can trace its Champenois roots back to 1855 when an ancestor opened an inn on the banks of the river Marne, providing a place for travellers and horses to feed and rest. Now Jean Marc Charpentier - the 8th generation - is at the helm of this wonderful estate. Jean Marc’s arrival as the winemaker-owner witnessed a new lease of life for this estate, for he is not only a humanist, but also a daring agronomist, always striving to find the best possible harmony between Man and Nature. With this in mind, and under his guidance, they have converted the entire estate to organic and biodynamic viticulture, reaching full organic certification in 2021 and Demeter certification in 2023.
They are located in the village of Charly-sur-Marne which lies at the extreme western border of the Marne Valley. Their 24 hectares of vines have been divided into 72 individual plots which are spread between Charly-sur-Marne and its neighbouring villages. The Marne is noted for the predominance of Pinot Meunier, so the fact that Chardonnay represents 45% of the Charpentier plantings is unusual. Despite its delicacy in the face of spring frosts, Chardonnay was the favoured grape variety of Jean Marc’s grandfather when replanting the vineyards. The rest of the plantings are given over to Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. The terroir here is predominantly formed of limestone, with pockets of sand, which are a throwback to the coastline that once ran through Champagne.
Across their range of cuvées, the tempo is decidedly slow in the cellar; vinifications are long, cool and carried out in stainless steel, whilst aging on the lees is carried out in barriques (from Meursault and Champagne), and can last for up to five years. The dosage - made from grape must - added is always low, especially with Terre d’Émotions.
The beating heart of Jean-Marc’s range is «Terre d’Émotion», which has been created to showcase the results of meticulous teamwork and real intuition as to their land and provenance. All of these wines will be certified organic and biodynamic in the coming years, but remain outside of the certifications due to the long elevage of their base wines.
Meanwhile, the «Tradition» range represents the quintessential expression of the Marne Valley terroir and history, and as such, has a higher proportion of Pinot Meunier. This range sees Jean Marc working alongside local grape growers, and is helping to move them towards organic viticulture; he formed CUMA (Cooperative d’Utilisation de Material Agricole) which allows for farmers to share equipment and as such, greatly lowers the barriers and costs associated with using often expensive machinery and tools.
The Wines
Brut tradition is quintessential Marne Valley in style. Predominantly composed of Pinot Meunier which is the most planted grape in this part of Champagne. Complemented by Chardonnay for a boost of freshness and Pinot Noir for structure. Jean Marc uses up to 40% of reserve wines (older vintages) to add depth and complexity. After bottling, this Champagne will spend three years ageing quietly in the cellars to reach its plenitude. This charming Champagne is bursting with orchard fruits on the nose with a creamy structure, fine bubbles and bright freshness from the limestone soils on the palate. This is the perfect all rounder Champagne, a house staple to have on hands at all times.
Although the Domaine is best known for his Chardonnay. Some would probably say that Jean Marc is even more expert on crafting Pinot Noir and Terre d'emotion Blanc de Noirs is his secret weapon! A firm sommelier favourite, being poured in many of the UK top restaurant by the glass. The blend is for the biggest part Pinot Noir 80%. with a dash of Pinot Meunier. Similar care, miticulous selection of vineyards as with its sibling in the range with long maturation on the lees in the cellar for 60 months. The main difference besides the grapes would be an Extra Brut dosage leaving wonderful complexity to a wine that is exceptionally fresh. Bright nose, refined and creamy bubbles. On the nose it is poised, concentrated, expressive, with bags of fresh red fruits, toast and spices. The palate is racy, elegant, full flavoured and complex. Long finish with fresh minerality and savoury notes. If Blanc de Blancs would appeal to a large audience, Blanc de Noirs is more for the Champagne lovers and do need some savoury nibbles if enjoyed as an aperitif. Salty smoked almonds would be a great match.
Tradition Rose is composed of 60% Pinot Meunier, 25% Pinot Noir 15% Chardonnay addition of 18% red wine from plots varying from clay Limestone and Limestone marls. Roughly 30% reserve wine is used for Tradition Rose but this does depend on each vintage. Receiving 36 months maturation on the lees, this Rose has a silky pink colour with hints of gold. Fine bubbles. An expressive bold and delicate nose of red fruits. Smooth on the palate with mineral freshness, balanced with flavours of summer berries.
A Meunier in its purest form, this is rare encounter. While there is a renaissance and newfound love for the Meunier grape currently, the vast majority of growers will focus on exuberant style and slightly oxidative style. Jean-Marc Charpentier chose to showcase something completely different. There is no make up, therefore no oak ageing and no dosage. It does come from a unique site from the oldest vines of the family. A rare expression of fresh and vibrant red fruits with a lot of minerality shining all the way through. Rightly poised, never austere with the same creamy bubbles that are the signature of Jean-Marc Charpentier Champagne. This style of Champagne will appeal to the grower Champagne lover and collectors alike.
Brut Verite is the first opus in Jean Marc Charpentier "Terre d'Emotion" range. With a focus on Chardonnay, Jean-Marc's grandfather favourite variety, combined by a splash each of Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier for added energy and savoury characteristics. All reserve wines used in Terre d'Emotion are aged in old oak barrels bringing a subtle richness and complexity. In order to refine the purity of the freshness emulating the limestone soil Brut Verite will spend 60 months maturating on the lees in the cellar. This brings a profile of pure and sincere expression of the terroir above everything else. What surprise us the most is the primary fruit characteristic versus autolysis in this range. A delicate nose of citrus and blossom, creamy bubbles, pure and elegant. A beautifully crafted Champagne that will impress novices and connoisseurs alike. Really easy to drink!
A real showstopper and pretty Champagne that reminds us of a ballerina in Swan Lake. To achieve this elegance, Jean Marc chose once again to dig into the family knowhow for its composition. The secret being a majority of Chardonnay, amazingly high at 88 percent. The remaining being the addition of a delicate red wine made from Pinot Meunier. If you like French Provence rose you will absolutely adore Terre D'emotion Rose. The prettiness does not stop at the colour, but the nose is bursting of red berries, think red current and crushed strawberries. The palate is supported by the signature freshness and very delicate bubbles. A little like strawberries and cream.
Brut Verite is the first opus in Jean Marc Charpentier "Terre d'Emotion" range. With a focus on Chardonnay, Jean-Marc's grandfather favourite variety, combined by a splash each of Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier for added energy and savoury characteristics. All reserve wines used in Terre d'Emotion are aged in old oak barrels bringing a subtle richness and complexity. In order to refine the purity of the freshness emulating the limestone soil Brut Verite will spend 60 months maturating on the lees in the cellar. This brings a profile of pure and sincere expression of the terroir above everything else. What surprise us the most is the primary fruit characteristic versus autolysis in this range. A delicate nose of citrus and blossom, creamy bubbles, pure and elegant. A beautifully crafted Champagne that will impress novices and connoisseurs alike. Really easy to drink!
An ode to Jean Marc's grandfather a visionary during his time. Having a soft spot for Chardonnay it was his grape of choice when planting was needed. Ignoring the fact it is the most at risk grape with spring frost, choosing to concentrate on the perfectly suited match between Chardonnay and limestone terroirs. Terre D'Emotion Blanc de Blancs, like the rest of the range, only comes from first pressed juice. The composition is made of 5 different plots, 85% of a specific vintage and the remaining 15% from the previous vintage aged in barrels. This will ensure more complexity rounded off by 60 months ageing on the lees in the cellars. The nose and palate are both delicate and graceful with an array of flavours showcasing primary fruits, freshness and silky bubbles. The finish is lingering and fresh, boosted by a salty and iodine tones.
89pts
‘Candied Lemon, toasted nut, fresh pear and stone fruit. Ideal for current drinking - complexity meets elegance’ (Decanter)