A Special VDLT selection for Hackley. The wine is produced by Champagne Hervé Dubois. Order now while supplies last. Minimum order of 3 bottles (mix and match with other Hackley wines). Order 12 bottles or more (mix and match with other Hackley wines) for 10% discount. Expected Arrival Fall 2024.
Our tasting impressions
We are loving this Blanc de Blancs from Hervé and Nina. The Grand Cru grapes combined with the Dubois' meticulous handling and signature style result in a sophisticated and highly compelling Champagne with loads of class. The flavors are pure, delineated, crisp and bright.
About this wine
This non-vintage Brut Blanc de Blancs is composed of Chardonnay from Grand Cru vineyards planted in the 1980’s. Best plots in Avize make up 85%,with the rest from Oger and Cramant. The soil is chalk. Eighty percent of it is 2017 grapes blended with 20% reserve wine. Vinified in steel tank and only 50% malolactic fermentation permitted. Aged up to 4 years. There is a light filtration prior to bottling. Dosage is 6.5 g/L.
About the grape
Chardonnay is the most popular wine variety in the the US. Winemakers love the green-skinned grape as well because it’s so easy to grow and adaptive to many different production techniques. Grown everywhere, Chardonnay’s greatest expressions are widely believed to come from Burgundy. Indeed, this is believed to be where the grape originated. Chablis, in Northern Burgundy and Champagne also offer superlative examples of Chardonnay.
The roots of this Grower Champagne estate dates back to 1920. Hervé's grandfather Paul was in the business of transporting wine to the big Champagne houses by horse. He bought land in Avize in order to feed and raise the horses and this land eventually was designated Grand Cru vineyards. A decade later, he developed the property to focus on wine production.
In 1981, Hervé began bottling wine under his own name. His daughter, Nina has been working with him since 2012.
The 6.3ha estate in the Côte des Blancs near Épernary is 63% Chardonnay - 3.5ha are Grand Cru from Avize in the Côte de Blancs and a half ha of 1er Cru in Montagne de Reims. The estate also comprises 1.5ha Pinot Meunier and .8ha Pinot Noir from the Vallée de la Marne.
Thirty-eight years ago, Hervé discovered that by stemming the malolactic fermentation process in his Chardonnay the enduring malic acid made his wine fresher, livelier and more transparent of the terroir.
They have no desires to grow, to be famous or wealthy from their work. These are truly artisan winemakers. Their only goal is to produce the best Champagne they can - Champagne that is deeply reflective of the land and people who work it.
