CHAMPAGNE MASTERY

CHAMPAGNE EXTRA BRUT BY A. MARGAINE NV

Jesse, “Grower Champagne” is one of the hottest trends in wine, and there’s a singular reason why: Wines like Arnaud Margaines ‘Le Brut’ offer more pedigree-for-dollar than just about any other wine. The level of detail, dedication and craftsmanship you can get ifor the price tag continues to astound me (much like great Barolo). If you are like me, you are not looking to christen your yacht with Champagne—you want to drink it, often, and there’s so much great, well-priced wine out there that I am compelled to keep offering it.

Villers-Marmery is a shining star of pure Crystaline Chardonnay based champagnes within the sea of Pinot Noir in the Montagne de Reims. Hiding in plain site in this speck of land, Arnaud Margaine and his team produce some of the most hauntingly aromatic and enthralling Champagnes you can drink. The clone of Chardonnay used by Margaine in Villers-Marmery is specific to this area and cannot be found in other parts of Champagne.

It is incredibly rare to find a Blanc de Blancs Champagne that delivers this wine’s one-two punch of textural depth and chiseled chalkiness, but even more rare is to find one at this price. If you’re thinking “light and lemony,” think again—this is a dense, laser-focused expression of Chardonnay, that happens to be sparkling. 

WHAT THE CRITICS SAY

92 Points
Antonio Galloni, Vinous, November 2020

CHAMPAGNE EXTRA BRUT BY A. MARGAINE NV: CHARACTERISTICS

BODY /  STYLE / OAK / Medium-bodied / Sparkling, floral, fruity, mineral / Unoaked

SWEETNESS / Extra-Dry

CELLARING / Drink now or cellar

FOOD PAIRING / Caviar, Oysters, Rich Fish, Shellfish, White Meat

TASTING NOTE / “The NV Extra Brut is a gorgeous wine. Bright and beautifully focused, the Extra Brut sizzles with tension, but it also has more than enough depth to balance the low dosage of 3-5 grams per liter. The Extra Brut was done 75% in tank and 25% in steel, with no malolactic fermentation, and yet it boasts striking depth and intensity. Chardonnay speaks with power and authority. A whole range of savory and mineral notes linger on the finish, with a light tropical accent that is quite attractive. This is one of the finer editions I recall tasting. Disgorged: October, 2019.”

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