The vineyard of Geraldine Lacourte and her husband Richard Desvignes is located in Ecueil in the heart of the Petit Montagne de Reims. They concentrate entirely on the 1er Cru sites in this village, which means they have short distances to travel and spend a lot of time in their vineyards. The farm was converted to organic viticulture in 2016. Both have seen a lot of the world and decided late to take over the winery from Geraldine's parents. Geraldine worked for years in marketing in Germany, so the style of the winery is not dusty, but rather modern. The base wines are fermented in stainless steel and don't necessarily make the BSA. Only a portion is aged in barrique. Very clear, precise and taut, they reflect their origin, always characterised by their fine fruit and elegant profundity.
The 2015 Parcellaire Chaillots 1er Cru is made from 100% Pinot Noir and comes from vines averaging 55 years old, grown on sand and tufa. The grapes were harvested by hand and the must matured in used 300 litre barrels. The wine matured for five and a half years in the cellar until it was disgorged on 16 December 2021 and set at a slim two grams as Extra Brut.
Color
Dark straw yellow with onion skin coloured reflections and fine perlage.
Nose
On the nose, the 2015 Chaillots Premier Cru from Lacourte-Godbillon defoliates layer by layer. At first, autolysis notes dominate thanks to the long time on the lees. The crumb of fresh rye sourdough bread but also toasty toast notes hover zeppelin-like over the overall appearance. With increasing aeration, red berry fruits such as wild raspberries and strawberries emancipate themselves, ethereally balanced by the oil of fully ripe blood oranges. Salt butter is undoubtedly at play, and mineral aspects such as oyster shells or wet table chalk do not go unnoticed.
Mouth
The perlage is so fine, delicate and almost subtle on the nose that it is more reminiscent of glittering stardust than regular carbonated bubbles. It brightens the overall appearance of this powerful and red-fruited champagne, which lights up the palate with ripe and wide-ranging acidity. Multi-layered, independent and complex, this champagne clearly leaves the reception situation and points with a confidential nod towards the table for upscale to elaborate cuisine.
Food recommendations from Sebastian Bordthäuser
- Goat cheese crostini with fresh raspberries and coriander-mint pesto
- Oysters with parsley and red currants
- Quails with confit blackberries, Greek yoghurt and mint pesto
Allergens | Contains sulfur |
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Winemaker | Lacourte-Godbillon |
Country | France |
Region | Champagne |
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Residual sweetness | ■□□□□ |
Drinking temperature | 10° |
Manufacturer | Champagne Lacourte-Godillon, 16, rue des Aillys, 51500 Ecueil / France |