Noces de Craie' poetically translates to 'Nuptials of the Chalk'. 100% old vine Pinot Noir sourced from five parcels in the Grand Cru of Ay. Only to be produced in the best of years, 2012 was the debut with releases from 2015, 2016 and now the 2018 vintage. On first tasting it came as a surprise as to how sleek, elegant, and refined it showed. Still showing the power and depth one expects from Ay Pinot, there is a chalky, mineral acidity that maintains length and freshness. Incredible intensity, concentration and minerality that coats the palate and the finish just goes on and on. It will be fascinating to see how well the wine develops in bottle further. Very impressive but still extremely youthful at present. 

100% Pinot Noir (50 year old vines), massale selection. 5 parcels in Grand Cru Ay (Cheuzelles, Longchamps, Pruche, Chaffour, and Pierre-Robert). Primary fermentation in thermoregulated stainless steel. 48 months on lees, disgorged Jan 2022. Dosage 5 gms/ltr MCR(rectified concentrated grape must).

From five lieux dits of pinot noir on the eastern side of Grand Cru Aÿ, Jean-Paul Hébrart has crafted a stunning Blanc de Noir in his 2018 rendition of Noces de Craie.

Aÿ, despite having a highly variable terroir depending on whether the plots are closer to the Dizy or Mareuil-sur-Ay side, often yields wines in the red apple spectrum that can be rich, smoky, savoury and somewhat malty. Not so the Noces de Craie 2018! This is a compelling example of the finesse and poise Aÿ is capable of.

The very polished Noces de Craie 2018 opens in the glass with a riot of somewhat unexpected (but enticing) aromas; ripe red Anjou pear, green apple, green plum, lime zest and crisp homemade lemonade. On the palate the wine is medium bodied, generous yet restrained, complex and intriguing in detail. The bead is fine, creamy and persistent.

Fermented in thermoregulated stainless steel tanks, with full malolactic conversion, and 3 years on bottle lees, the creaminess is lifted by a precise line of crystalline lime acidity. It has terrific length and finishes with mouth-watering salinity that goes on and on.

This is a hugely satisfying first-class Blanc de Noirs of great clarity. Youthful and plain delicious right now but would be equally as content with ten years of cellaring. Jean-Paul finished Noces de Craie 2018 with an extra -brut dosage of 5 g /L MCR which is spot-on. This bottle was disgorged in January of 2022 and the MCR was well integrated and undetectable.

With the inaugural 2012 Noces de Craie firmly entrenched as one of my all-time favourite Blanc de Noirs, the 2018 is providing some stiff competition. - Tracy Mann, Champagne Educator & Vin de Champagne Laureate

(MHNocesDeCraie)

SKU MHNocesDeCraie
Brand Marc Hebrart
Shipping Weight 1.6500kg
Shipping Width 0.105m
Shipping Height 0.105m
Shipping Length 0.370m

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