Chartogne-Taillet

28 April 2022

Alexandre Chartogne is an exceptional young vigneron crafting delicious, terroir-focused Grower Champagnes in the Vallée de la Marne. After training under Anselme Selosse – widely considered to be the godfather of the Grower movement – Alexandre took over his family’s estate, Chartogne-Taillet, at just 23.

Established by the Romans and later expanded by Benedictine monks in the 7th century, Merfy was prized for its wines until the village and its vineyards were destroyed during the First World War. Chartogne-Taillet, the only récoltant-manipulant (grower-producer) in the village, is spearheading its revival.

Alexandre’s single-plot cuvées express the many different soil types in Merfy and are as delicious as they are diverse: nuanced and effortless, they are deeply rooted in terroir. Assisted by Claude and Lydia Bourguignon – renowned microbiologists who advise the likes of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti and Dujac – he farms organically and by hand. In the winery, Alexandre uses oak barrels, steel tanks, and concrete eggs to create multi-layered, age-defying wines.

After dramatic decreases in output over the past few years, getting hold of the best Grower Champagnes is becoming extremely difficult: these bottles are coveted by collectors and sommeliers, and allocations are tiny, so it’s no surprise that they are not available to purchase elsewhere in the UK. We can offer just one bottle of each wine per customer.

Les Couarres 2016 Sold out
Taut and nervy orchard fruit opens into a sublime, textural wine. Its richness is countered by lifted freshness and seamless acidity. Drink now and over the next 10 years.

Heurtebise 2017 Sold out
18 months in 228-litre barrels brings fleshiness and weight to this finely chiselled, citrussy, and mineral-rich Champagne that will continue to improve over the next decade.

Chemin de Reims 2017 Sold out
Complex, savoury, and earthy Blanc de Blancs at its best. Powerful notes of apple and spice, yet taut and racy. Its chalky structure indicates good potential for ageing.

Hors Serie 2015 Sold out
Rich, creamy Chardonnay. Full and layered, with a never-ending array of flavours – ripe peach, baked apple, nutmeg, pastry – balanced by tangy, framing acidity. Spectacular.

Please note that this offer has expired, however you can check current stocks via the search bar or shop@shrinetothevine.co.uk