2012 Champagne Hebrart Rive Gauche Rive Droite Grand Cru Extra Brut $125 x 12
IMHO can go head to head with Krug Grand Cuvvee and hold its own! Just tasted this last week in a lineup of 50 top grower Champagnes and this was my favorite. It was the first bottle finished too at the trade event, telling of other peoples thoughts as well.
50% Pinot Noir, 50% Chardonnay
Vineyards: Coeur de Cuvee and Selection Massal
from Pinot Noir from Aÿ Grand Cru – Pruche, Cheuzelles,
Longchamps, and Chaffour. Chardonnay from Grand Crus
in Oiry Grand Cru, Chouilly Grand Cru & Avize Grand Cru –
La Justice, Montaigu & Les Robarts
Malo: yes
Elevage: used oak barrique
En Tirage Aging: 60 months
Theise:
This is his nod to the old school. Another Coeur de Cuvée, made in barrels, natural yeast, unfiltered and never cold stabilized. It’s 50% PN Aÿ (Pruche, Cheuzelles, Longschamps, Chauffour) and 50% CH old-vines from Chouilly, Avize and Oiry (Justice, Montaigu, Les Robarts). The Avize parcel is new for Jean-Paul. Disg 1/2017, it remains a fine woodsy Champagne. It’s sleek and silvery, not “below” its oak but atop it. Malt and salt, mint and herbs.