Marguet Ambonnay Grand Cru 2010 (RP: 92)

Benoît Marguet is a fast-rising star in the Montage de Reims if not in the entire Champagne region. Marguet cultivates ten hectares of vines (25 acres), mainly in Ambonnay but also in Bouzy, all according to biodynamic principles and natural cycles. He also purchases grapes but only if they are cultivated organically. Marguet uses two horses to work his soils, and he uses about 300 225-liter barrels ranging from new to seven years old as well as two 4,000-liter egg-shaped foudres designed by himself. He vinifies all his parcels separately and keeps his wines on the lees until at least mid-June or even July, for a total of nine months, including the two fermentations (alcoholic and malolactic) and the élevage.
Marguet said he tries to avoid adding sulfur to his wines. "In the future, wines won’t be rated just upon their aromatic characteristics and pleasures, but in equal parts with respect to nature, farming and health aspects."

Appellation:
Champagne, France

Country of Origin:
France

Type:
Champagne

Grape Varieties:
58% Pinot Noir, 42% Chardonnay

Tasting Notes:
(Robert Parker's rating: 92 points)
From organically farmed vines (which are undergoing conversion to biodynamic farming) and aged in oak until the bottling in July 2011, Marguet's 2010 Ambonnay Grand Cru has spent more than five years sur lattes and was disgorged in October 2016. The wine offers a clear, fresh, deep and spicy scented bouquet with a lovely bright and fruity nose. On the palate, this is a full-bodied, fresh, mouth-filling, creamy-textured and almost juicy cuvée with a very good structure, stimulating vitality and just a touch of oaky flavors. It has very good length and some iodine flavors.