MV Lebeau-Batiste, Champagne Brut "Signature"
MV Lebeau-Batiste, Champagne Brut "Signature"

MV Lebeau-Batiste, Champagne Brut "Signature"

Champagne , France
Regular price$49.00
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MV Lebeau-Batiste, Champagne Brut "Signature"

A couple of years ago we introduced our faithful subscribers to an exciting new Champagne Grower named Lebeau-Batiste, that had never before been imported to the U.S. Today I have the pleasure of introducing a brand new cuvée–and not just new to the States, but new to the world. It’s a very limited production blend that is predominantly sourced from one of the estates most prized Chardonnay vineyards near their home in Chavot-Courcourt. Farming in this prime parcel is fully organic, and the winemaking is geared toward a pure, mineral drenched snapshot of this distinct terroir. If you’re a fan of precise, elegant, tiny production Champagne that costs less than $50 (and aren’t we all!?!) then it’s time to load up for the rest of the year.

Eric Lebeau and Anne-Marie Batiste are the husband/wife team who created Lebeau-Batiste by combing heirloom vineyard holdings from their two families. Today the domaine is run by their chef du cave (winemaker) son, Florent. They are headquartered in the village of Chavot-Courcourt, just south of Épernay, right where the Vallée de la Marne gives way to the Côte des Blancs. For some years now this special “in between” area has been known as the Côteaux Sud d’Épernay, which is a recognition that the soils and climate here are distinct. The pure, chiseled, chalky expressions that you find just a few miles south and east in famous villages such as Cramant, Oiry, and Mesnil is also apparent in the Côteaux, but there’s a touch more fruit and accessibility–par for the course in the famous houses you find around Épernay. 

The Lebeaus’ sustainable farming practices have been recognized with a Haut Valeur Environnementale (High Environmental Value) certification from France’s Ministry of Agriculture, as the family continues its conversion to full-scale organic and biodynamic viticulture. However, they have a prime parcel of pure Chardonnay just outside Chavot-Courcourt that was converted to fully organic farming years ago, and it’s become the de facto “crown jewel” of their holdings. Not surprisingly the Chardonnay takes on much of the same characteristics as the famous Grand Cru villages of the Côte de Blancs mentioned above, and that is the main source for the brand new “Signature.” A small amount of Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir contributes hints of up front fruit and texture, though I wouldn’t be surprised if this cuvée eventually becomes an official Blanc de Blancs.

Regardless of the future, this brand new addition to Lebeau-Batiste is a custom-crafted, blue-chip Champagne: It ages for 30+ months on its lees before disgorgement and receives a dosage of eight grams/liter before bottling. It has a precise, elegant mouth feel, with a nice layered texture but lots of mouth-watering tanginess on the finish. In the glass, it displays a star-bright straw-gold core with slight coppery highlights, with high-toned aromas of yellow apple, quince, white cherry, citrus peel, crusty bread, chopped hazelnuts, ginger, and wet stones. It is medium-bodied, with a fine bead and a relatively soft attack. There’s no shortage of freshness, of course, but the wine is harmonious rather than sharp. Serve it at 48-50 degrees in an all-purpose white wine stem with a showpiece appetizer like the attached. It is guaranteed to impress. Enjoy!

MV Lebeau-Batiste, Champagne Brut "Signature"
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