Champagne Chartogne-Taillet Les Couarres Blanc de Noirs Extra Brut N•2018 750ml
Merfy single vineyard - Les Couarres
100% Pinot Noir
Harvest N•2018
Vinification: Oak barrels
Dosage ~5g/L
Only 24 bottles available for NZ.
Reviews:
Chartogne-Taillet - by Richard Juhlin
Already in the 1600s, Fiacre Taillet was a wine-grower in the small village of Merfy in the Massif de Saint-Thierry planted in mostly sandy soils, while Chartogne-Taillet was formed in 1920. Today, Chartogne-Taillet is still a family business. Alexandre Chartogne run a quality-controlled property with access to very old grapevines—even a little pre-phylloxera rootstock. Alexandre was educated in Burgundy and has a strong faith in the recipe: low yield equals high quality. He also worked with Anselme Selosse and returned to the family estate in 2006. He took full control the following year, and his influence has elevated the domaine to the top ranks of grower-producers in the region.The grapes come from 11,5 hectares in Merfy, Chenay, and Saint Thierry. Fiacre is a brilliantly refreshing, elastic, potent wine with a deliciously concentrated young fruit. Truly genuine terroir character is, of course, missing but this deficiency is well compensated for by its tart, rich, fruity cannonade. The Clos des Barres is a beautiful and super intense pure Pinot Meunier. Close to 4 stars today.
Top rated tasting notes: by Richard Juhlin
• Chartogne-Taillet Heurtebise 2016 - 95
• Chartogne-Taillet Les Couarres 2017 - 94
• Chartogne-Taillet Saint-Thierry 2018 - 94
Chartogne-Taillet Les Couarres 2018 Tasted 2024-03
93 Richard Juhlin rating (Potential 90)
Blend Cuvée Style Extra Brut
PN 40 PM 0 CH 60
Tasting Note
"Sensational new oak barrel-aged vineyard wine for a very low price from location in the home village of Merfy with 0.5 gram dosage. A crystal clear, fresh and incredibly beautiful wine already with so many nuances that I am amazed."
CHARTOGNE-TAILLET Les Couarres Extra Brut Champagne NV
Wine Spectator 94 points
"A finely honed Champagne, with a generous range of crystallized ginger, ripe grainy apple and pear fruit, white blossoms, raw almond and an underlying streak of salinity. The lush flavor profile finds its counterpoint with the wine's chiseled acidity, a well-meshed foil that drives this through to the long, spiced finish. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Disgorged November 2021. Drink now through 2030." -A.N.