Chardonnay de la Côte des Bar, Brut Nature 2018

Wine Description for Chardonnay de la Côte des Bar Brut Nature 2018 by Louise Brison

Colour & Appearance

Luminous straw yellow with bright reflections. The mousse presents itself with fine bubbles and intensity, with small to medium bubbles that rise remarkably long in the glass – a sign of artisanal precision and extended ageing on lees.

Nose

Here the terroir speaks louder than the method. Rather than brioche and yeast, mirabelle plum, peach, Williams pear and crisp apples dominate. These are joined by bergamot and lime zest, accompanied by fresh lemon balm and lemongrass. With air contact, smoky nuances develop – grilled pineapple, cold smoke – and the unmistakable, chalky-stony signature of the Kimmeridge soil. A Champagne that shows the grape variety in its purest form, without oenological embellishment.

Palate

Filigree, almost weightless, with an elegance reminiscent of great white Burgundies. The fruit aromas continue with surgical precision, carried by a cool, stony texture and finely chiselled acidity. The mousse remains discreet in the background – this wine is more wine than fizz. Taut, sinewy, vinous. On the finish, the yellow-green fruits return, complemented by delicate almond notes and a whisper of marzipan nuance that adds depth without overwhelming the cleansing minerality.

Finish

Long, cool, transparent. Minerality dominates to the end, accompanied by a refreshing citrus note and a hint of roasted almond. Nothing heavy, nothing intrusive – pure elegance.

Terroir & Origin

The vineyards lie at 320 metres altitude in the Côte des Bar, the southernmost part of Champagne. The Kimmeridge chalk, renowned from Chablis, lends this Champagne its characteristic minerality and precision – a paradise for Chardonnay.

Grape Variety & Vinification

Pure Chardonnay from the 2018 vintage. Fermentation and maturation took place in barrique, which imparts subtle depth to the wine without masking its freshness. Bottled in June 2019, disgorged in February 2025 as Brut Nature (0 g/l dosage) – uncompromisingly pure.

Food Pairing Recommendations

Oysters, scallops, yellowtail sashimi, ceviche, smoked trout, goat’s cheese or pan-fried turbot with herb butter. The minerality calls for seafood or subtle, not overly rich flavours.

Special Features

A Champagne for purists and terroir enthusiasts. Louise Brison demonstrates here that the Côte des Bar has more to offer than Pinot Noir – this Chardonnay is a statement for precision, clarity and the power of Kimmeridge chalk.