2018 Marguet, Champagne, Blanc de Noirs Ambonnay Grand Cru, Les Crayeres

Benoît Marguet works from the Grand Cru village of Ambonnay in the Montagne de Reims, one of Champagne’s historic homes for Pinot Noir. Fermentations take place with native yeasts and the wines are raised in barrel, giving them a broader, more vinous feel than the stainless-steel approach common in the region.

Les Crayères refers to the deep chalk formations that define Ambonnay’s vineyards and the underground cellars carved into that same rock across Champagne. Chalk holds water like a reservoir and releases it slowly through the season, helping the vines maintain balance even in warm years.

The 2018 vintage produced ripe fruit across Champagne. In Ambonnay it comes through with depth and texture, supported by the firm chalk structure that gives the village its reputation for powerful, ageworthy Blanc de Noirs.