Pascal Doquet MV Blanc de Blancs Extra-Brut Champs Libres B18

D&M NOTES (06/2025):

TASTING: This opens with a taut almost reductive quality with aromas of chalk, green apple, and citrus– time in contact with air amplifies and expands the chalk to almost a saline oyster shell note. On the palate this is very nicely done with a savory quality and quite racy acidity and a flavor set of oyster liquor, citrus, fresh sliced green apple, and a chalky minerality to finish. This is youthful right now with quite a bit of tension to it, this will hit its stride in 2028 through 2045.

PRODUCTION: Entirely from the 2018 vintage, two thirds of this come from growers in the Premier Cru village of Vertus that farm in the same manner as the Doquet family (organic/biodynamic). The remaining third comes from estate vineyards across the Côtes de Blancs and the Côtes de Perthois (Valley of the Marne). It was natively fermented initially in Stainless Steel for six months before spending 42 months on its lees and then was disgorged with a dosage of 2.5 grams per liter in 2022.

IMPORTER NOTES:

ABOUT THE PRODUCER: “With holdings of old vines in some of the greatest terroirs in the Côte des Blancs, Pascal Doquet has emerged over the last decade as one of the premier vignerons in Champagne.  After he took over his family estate, Doquet-Jeanmaire, in 1995 when his father retired, Pascal established his eponymous Domaine in 2004.  Today he farms just under 9 hectares of vines including prime parcels in Vertus, Le Mont Aimé and Le Mesnil-sur-Oger—including his illustrious old vines in the parcel “Champ d’Aoulettes.”  Natural farming and dedication to vineyard health is the driving force for Pascal; in fact, he rarely discusses fermentation—his passion is in the vineyards.  The Domaine has been certified Organic since 2010.”