Yann Alexandre Brut Noir

Based in Courmas on the Petite Montagne de Reims, 6.5 ha (16 acres) of vines in 30 parcels spread over 6 villages, about half planted to Meunier, one-third Chardonnay and the rest Pinot Noir. Green alleys and use of only organic fertiliser began in 1999. Herbicide was stopped completely 15 years ago and ploughing begun. They have achieved the highest level of certified HVE (Haute Valeur Environnementale 3). Only the cuvée is used from the press, and fermentation is somewhat cooler than ‘classic’, at around 16 °C rather than 20 °C. The domaine ‘brut sans année’ is 55% Pinot Meunier, 35% Chardonnay, 15% Pinot Noir. Base 2013, plus 30% reserve wines. Malo done. Aged 5 years on lees in cellar. Dosage 8 g/l.
Nicely balanced and complete on the nose. Really spreads across the palate. Not the most concentrated but attractive in a flirtatious way. Neat finish. Rather impressively confident. Jancis Robinson

The Alexandre family has been tending to their vines in Courmas since the 18th century. During the second half of the 19th century, Louis Marie Alexandre began to produce vin clair before selling it to trade. It was not until 1933 that Gaston and Marcel Alexandre started producing champagne.


In 1966, Marcel's son Yves Alexandre took over the estate, increasing the vineyards and renovating the cellar. In 1999, Yann Alexandre, after studying and working in Burgundy and Alsace, returned to Courmas to found his own brand. His vineyards are located in nine villages across the region: Courmas, Bouilly, Villedommange, Coulommes-la-Montagne, Vrigny, Chenay, Merfy, Marfaux and Saint-Lumier-en-Champagne. The majority of the vines consists of 45% Meunier, 35% Chardonnay and 20% Pinot Noir, and are about 25 years old on average. Organic certification was achieved in 2020.

While Yann Alexandre sells half of his wine to the trade, he is planning on increasing the production of his own brand in the near future. Each parcel is vinified separately in 40 different tanks, with only the cuvée used. Some wines undergo malolactic fermentation, some don't, and others partially. The wines are also vinified in used barrique barrels.
His range of champagnes includes Brut Noir, Roche Mère Brut Nature, Grande Réserve Premier Cru, Blanc de Blancs Millésimé, Blanches Terres Rosé Premier Cru, Millésimé Extra-Brut, Cuvée Vinothèque, Terre de Clos Coteaux Champenois Rouge, and Sous les Roses Blanc de Noirs. The latter, which was first produced in 2011, is made of Pinot Noir and Meunier in Courmas. In 2015, Yann Alexandre created a champagne with no sulphur added, made of Chardonnay from Les Leusonnes in Courmas.