ABOUT THIS WINE
The Chardonnay for Arpge comes from Vertus, Villeneuve and Mont Aimthe grapes that are not in the Coeur de Terroir series. There is substantial reserve wine in the blend, preserved in enamel tanks to maintain freshness. This is a blend of 49% 2014, 27% 2013, 24% 2012 and was disgorged in the Spring of 2019.
With holdings of old vines in some of the greatest terroirs in the Cote des Blancs, Pascal Doquet has emerged over the last decade or so as one of the premier vignerons in Champagne. He originally took over his family estate Doquet-Jeanmaire in and after his father retired, Pascal established his eponymous domaine in. Today he farms just under hectares of vines including prime parcels in Le Msnil-sur-Oger, Vertus, and Le Mont Aim.
ABOUT THIS PRODUCER
With holdings of old vines in some of the greatest terroirs in the Cte des Blancs, Pascal Doquet has emerged over the last decade as one of the premier vignerons in Champagne. After he took over his family estate, Doquet-Jeanmaire, in 1995 when his father retired, Pascal established his eponymous Domaine in 2004. Today he farms just under 9 hectares of vines including prime parcels in Vertus, Le Mont Aim and Le Mesnil-sur-Ogerincluding his illustrious old vines in the parcel Champ dAoulettes. Natural farming and dedication to vineyard health is the driving force for Pascal; in fact, he rarely discusses fermentationhis passion is in the vineyards. The Domaine has been certified Organic since 2010.
Pascal started with his parents in 1982 and his first vintage was 1995 when he was one of the first members of lutte raisonne. He pushed his environmental concerns with his parents further and stopped all chemical treatments in 2000. Ultimately, the company split in 2004 with his sister taking some parcels and Pascal and Laure taking the rest. One can easily see the difference between the farming influence of Pascal and Laure with a tour of the vineyards compared to the parcels they no longer manage.
Pascal employs extensive cover crops and does his work with a special, ultra-light tractor as to avoid any unnecessary compacting of the soil. Plant-based treatments are employed as Pascal seeks to reduce his use of copper and sulfur as much as possible. He is exceptionally focused on vineyard management in order to express the subtleties of his terroir and to make honest wines. As Pascal often says Its the viticulture that makes the difference, not the vinification.
In this spirit, the harvest is done by hand with strict triage taking place in both the vineyards and the cellar. The grapes are pressed pneumatically and only the best parts of the cuve are used. The must is fermented with indigenous yeast, most often in enamel-lined tanks, but neutral oak is used in parts of the vintage Coeur de terroir cuves. The vin-clair is left on the gross lees for a minimum of five months and receives minimum btonage. Almost all of the wines undergo malolactic fermentation and all cuves are aged for a minimum of three years before disgorgement and release.
The wines of Pascal Doquet burst with energy and verve and deliver mineral-laden, multi-layered expressions of his terroirs. These are wines for people looking to experience the scintillating flavors of the Cte-des-Blancs sans maquillage.
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