Citrus, mineral-plasticine nose, fresh coconut, fresh almond with slight herbal edge to it. A lively, tangy palate leading into minerals that etch themselves onto the tongue.
Chardonnay is in full effect from the Villers Marmery region, showing some rusticity, scrumpy cider-like tones with earthy chewiness and great expression of terroir.
The finish is long and juicy and after 5-10 minutes being open the palate softens some more, opening up to some creaminess and real elegant texture.
This is a real charmer of a wine, you have been warned.
About The House
Arnaud Margaine is a fourth generation grower-producer and his family have vineyards in Villers Marmery. This town is considered somewhat of an oddity, as it is primarily a chardonnay village amidst a mountain of Pinot noir. Why is this special? The Chardonnay used by Margaine in Villers Marmery is specific to this area and cannot be found anywhere else in Champagne. This immediately stands out as an identity that Arnaud wants to preserve which is present in the Margaine cuvées. His approach to making his champagne is to assess each year as it presents itself as opposed to a pre-determined recipe. Using a prescribed approach is restrictive to the true nature of the wine. He is a proponent of blocking malolactic fermentation, as he wants to preserve what he describes as ‘fruit freshness’ and not just acidity. Lastly, he says of being an Artisan: “Under the banner "Artisan of Champagne", the human value is predominant and it is the one that unites the group. On this base, there is also the passion of the terroir and the way everyone interprets it.”
Technical Details
Extra Brut at 4 g/l dosage, unfiltered, unfined and farmed using sustainable practices. 90% Chardonnay with 10% Pinot noir.
Food Pairings
Being mineral-rich and having quite the body and lots of texture, you could partner this with a variety of dishes. Earthy roast potatoes and herb-roasted chicken with steamed green beans would highlight some of the key notes in the wine. Roast Pork, poultry and game would all fit the bill too.
