02 Cuvee Fiacre Taillet Brut

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A new disgorgement (1/10) but still not showing all its cards. It’s a high-bred critter
who needs to be handled deftly. It isn’t as easy as the vintage but when it does make
friends it makes a lovely friend. Sleek and filigree; orchid aromas like a great Baozhong
tea, and a gingery and minty spice; it finds its form in the glass and becomes exceptionally
racy, spicy and catwalk-model insouciant. Long, penetrating, minty finish; a
rare ‘02 that’s still holding back. This is an old-vines coeur de cuvée, 60/40 Ch/PN.

The terroir in the village of Merfy, where Chartogne-Taillet resides, could be described as ‘over looked’.  Many of Merfy’s growers are still selling all of their fruit, replanting vines before they obtain significant age in order to harvest higher yields.  This is why the wines of Chartogne-Taillet stand out – because they are in a village where they are the only récoltant-manipulant ("grower Champagne"), forging a place for Merfy’s consideration amongst great terroir. The young Alexandre Chartogne is certainly the Grower working most diligently in Merfy. He maintains older vines, cultivates the unique terroir and works toward harmonious and often organic and biodynamic practices in the vineyard. “Respect for the terroir means preserving old vines as long as possible, limiting yields and analyzing the soil of each parcel in respect of nature,” words of Father Philippe Chartogne.  Understanding of true terroir is tradition in the Chartogne family which has had vines here since 1683!  By putting in this extra effort, Alexandre and his family have been able to grow their vine’s root systems to depths of 20 meters or more, where the vines are “living in two different environments,” Alexandre says.  One, in the thick top soil made of sand and clay – Alexandre claims this is what brings out the soft roundness of fruit in the wine. The sub-layer is pure chalk, where these deep roots extract real minerality.  The Cuvee St. Anne is a gentle crowd pleaser of a wine that makes a wonderful, versatile accompaniment to most any meal.

Tasting Notes

The Cuvee Fiacre shows remarkable richness and depth while remaining light on its feet. Wild flowers, menthol and anise are some of the nuances that linger on the supremely graceful finish. - Wine Advocate, 93+ A complex, pure and layered nose of floral, citrus and yeast aromas displays noticeable but not advanced age that merge into racy and lively flavors supported by a high degree of effervescence, indeed this is downright foamy, yet the depth on the flavors and finish is lovely as well. Burghound, 93