ABOUT THIS WINE
This blanc de blanc champagne is 100% Chardonnay, and is known for its complex, traditional, and mineral-driven character, with tasting notes including flint, umami depth, and vibrant citrus flavors. It is made with full malolactic fermentation, partial aging in wood, and a long time on the lees before a dosage from a “super cuve” solera. This wine would pair excellently with shellfish, crab, and lobster.
ABOUT THIS PRODUCER
This is a small, family owned estate in the Premier Cru village of Villers-Mamery. This is a unique village; though it is in the Montagne, exposition and very chalky soil make it ideal for growing Chardonnay. Over ninety percent of the village is planted to that variety. Arnaud Margaine, the current proprietor, took over in 1989 and is the fourth generation grower-producer in his family. His daughter, Mathilde has recently come back to the domaine to help with operations. Today, the family farms 6.5 hectares, all in Villers-Marmery. Margaine has been a member of the Spcial Club since 1977and his Club wine is always a Blanc de Blancs from his oldest parcels in the village. The average age of the vines are over 35 years, with Champs dEnfer over 60. Vineyard work here is meticulous, and precludes any herbicides and pesticides with a focus on balance. Cover crops are used extensively and Arnaud has thought aboutcertifying organic, though he has not yet made this decision. Margaine continues to experiment, in- troducing a Solera Cuve last year as well asan excellent Ros de Saigne from a small amount of Pinot Noir co-macerated with- Chardonnay. Vinification is in both barrel and stainless steel, depending on the parceland the wine. A maximum of 20 to 30 percent [of barrel-fermented wine] is a good complement for my blends, says Arnaud. I dont want to go any higher. Arnaud keeps a large proportion of reserve wine, some of which is held in tank, with a percentage held in magnum with a slight mousse a la Bollinger. They are rich in flavor without being heavy, and over the last decade and a half that I have been drinking them I feel that they have progressively gained in finesse and complexity. Capable of an intensely pronounced expression of terroir, Margaines champagnes represent for me the reference point for the village of Villers-Marmery. -Peter Liem
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