Clipboard02S16_5834

Champagne Coquillette is situated in Chouilly, a village classified as Grand Cru in the Côte des Blancs. Stéphane Coquillette is a fourth generation winemaker in Champagne. His grandparents (Pierre and Hélène Coquillette) established the marque Champagne Saint-Chamant in 1930. In 1950, Stéphane’s father Christian took over the estate, which he still runs today. When Stéphane came of age, Christian sent him off on his own, thus Stéphane created and runs his own estate with 6 hectares of vines, Champagne S. Coquillette. The majority of the grapes come from Chouilly (Grand Cru), Cuis (Premier Cru 99%) for Chardonnay, d’Aÿ (Grand Cru) and Mareuil/Aÿ (Premier Cru 99%) for the Pinot Noir grapes. The vineyards are planted on limestone soil, growing on 10 inches of arable earth and directly on the “roche mere” or mother rock made of chalk decending for tens of meters. The characteristic of the sub-soil adds to the expression of aromas from the fruit and creates a refined wine. The vineyards are worked in part by plough and then the ground is covered with bark in order to stop erosion and prevent weeds from sprouting. Herbicides are avoided at all costs. Everything is done by hand, such as trellising and pruning, which avoids disease and allows for a healthy crop. There are four wine presses of 75 and 150 hectolitres. The juice is then stored in their new winery built in 2001. More than ten different parcels contribue to the cuvées of Champagne Coquillette, among them “Le Chemin d’Avize,” “Les Clés,” “Les Carelles,” “La Mutry,” “Les Sorsous,” “La Pouplot.”

Six wines are in range.

 

Champagne Stéphane Coquillette Carte d’Or 1er Cru           
A blend of Grand Cru and Prer Cru. There is 2/3 of Pinot Noir from Aÿ and Mareuil-sur-Aÿ and 1/3 of Chardonnay from Chouilly and Cuis. Dosage 5 g/l. Based on 100% 2013 with no reserve wines. Beautifully crisp and savory. All sherbet and minerals. A perfect dosage keeps this wine alive and interesting. A delightful intense approachable style that balances red fruits with minerals. Drinks nice now and can cellar for a year. Last few remaining bottles from last year’s shipment. Really nice with some extra bottle age. Diam cork.

 

Champagne Stéphane Coquillette Cuvée Diane Blanc de Blancs        
100% Chardonnay from Chouilly, from vines planted in 1964. Dosage 5g/l. This is a beautifully structured elegant pure Chardonnay – amazingly complex from old vines – lovely acidity with a precise dosage. Hints of floral and tropical overtones. Based on 100% 2013 with no reserve wines. Can be enjoyed now or cellared. Great length on the palate. Same as last years shipment but with extra bottle age. This cuvée is named after the daughter – Diane. Diam cork.
 
Champagne Stéphane Coquillette Cuvée Les Clés Blanc de Noirs       
Grand Cru from Aÿ, yes 100% Pinot Noir. Mostly from vines planted in 1960.  Dosage 5 g/l. The subtle red fruits are subtle, and we get some classic funkiness I associate with Aÿ Pinot. Again 100% 2013 with no reserve wines. Ridiculously delicious Grand Cru Pinot from old vines Aÿ at a bargain price. Anything from Aÿ is expensive! And this is in effect a vintage wine. Bargain. Last years shipment sold out quickly and this new shipment is the same wine but much later disgorged. Diam cork.

 

Champagne Stéphane Coquillette Cuvée Marie-Aimer Rosé    
100% Pinot Noir “Rosé de Saignée” is neither fined nor filtered.  Dosage 5g/l. From a 48 hour saignee. Lovely red fruits and sour cherry – all entwined in savoury minerals. 100% 2013 with no reserve wines. From old vines mainly from Aÿ and a hint of Mareuil-sur-Aÿ for some strawberry overtones. Last few remaining bottles from last years shipment. This wine has gone thru a closed phase, but finally it is opening up and expanding to reveal its class. Diam cork.

Champagne Stéphane Coquillette Cuvée By Louis Vintage 2010 Brut Zero     
100% Pinot Noir from a blend of best parcels of Aÿ and Mareuil-sur-Aÿ. Zero dosage. This is the tete de cuvée extra-ordinaire. Subtle floral and citrus aromas lead to a vinous, mineral palate with hints of almonds, red fruits and brioche. Hugely complex and palate staining. The zero dosage is totally transparent. and the subtle wood integration enhances the saline minerality.  This Champagne behaves like a wine and needs time in the glass to open up and expand. Certainly a candidate for opening a few hours in advance and having time to breath – like all fine wine. All the components are in perfect balance. Fermented in tank and aged in oak for 9 months. This cuvée is named after the son – Louis. Very limited.Diam cork.

 

Interesting that Stephane does not like the idea of using reserve wines to adjust the blend of his non vintage wines. So they are all from a single vintage but not marked as such since they do not rest on lees for the 3 year minimum period.

LOGO2