Marc Hebrart Cuvee de Reserve Brut Champagne NV
(Champagne, France) - [WS 92] [WA 90] [JD 90]

About the Winery:

Region: Vallée de la Marne
Premier Cru Sites: Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, Avenay, Val d’Or and Bisseuil
Grand Cru Sites: Aÿ, Avize, Chouilly, Oiry
Annual Production: 5,800 cases
Total Vineyard Holdings: 15 hectares
Vines: 70% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay

Jean-Paul Hébrart took over Marc Hébrart from his father in 1997. His father had been producing estate bottled wines since 1964 and joined the Club Trésors in 1985 Jean-Paul has slowly developed the estate in the last 20 years to one of the very finest grower estates in the Marne. The basis for these outstanding wines are the privileged holdings in Aÿ, including the newly purchased plots in Le Léon, Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, and Dizy in the Grande Vallée as well as Avize, Oiry and Chouilly in the Côte and recently acquired vineyards in Louvois in the Montagne. Jean-Paul harvests, presses and vinifies each of his over 85 plots separately, blending sites to make harmonious wines which reflect the personality of the grower as well as the terroir. A majority of the wines are fermented in steel, though old used barrels have become a part of his program for Rive Gauche-Rive Droite and his new wine, Clos de Léon, both of which are fermented and aged in neutral barrique.

The Hébrart wines are truly of both place and person, the kind, welcoming and generous qualities that Jean-Paul Hébrart exudes can be seen in all of his Champagnes. And while he could easily rest on his laurels at this point, JP instead continues to expand his range, experimenting with lower dosage levels in his benchmark cuvées, and producing stunning Coteaux Champenoise from recently acquired, historic vineyards.

About the wine:

cépage: 82% Pinot Noir, 18% Chardonnay
assemblage: 45% 2017, 15% 2016, 10% 2015, 30% 2014
village/vyd: Pinot Noir from Mareuil-Sur-Aÿ 1er Cru, Avenay Val D’Or 1er Cru, Mutigny 1er Cru, Hautvillers 1er Cru; Chardonnay from Bisseuil 1er Cru, Mutigny 1er Cru, Mareuil-Sur-Aÿ 1er Cru
malo: Yes
élevage: Stainless Steel
sur latte: 24+ Months
dégorgement: October 2020 (8M)

Ratings & Reviews

92 Points - Wine Spectator:
"This has racy acidity driving flavors of ripe green apple, lemon blossoms, biscuit and white cherry as they ride the finely detailed mousse. Mouthwatering and elegant, with a chalky finish. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay." - AN (Nov 2022)

90 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate:
"Disgorged in October 2019, the new release of Hébrart’s NV Brut Cuvée de Réserve is showing nicely, exhibiting notes of crisp orchard fruit, fresh peach, orange oil and white flowers. Medium-bodied, fleshy and precise, with a pretty core of fruit that’s framed by bright acids and complemented by a pillowy mousse, it would make for an immensely charming aperitif." - William Kelley (Mar 2021)

90 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"The NV Champagne Cuvée de Reserve Brut is 80% Pinot Noir and the remainder Chardonnay, with the base vintage being 45% from the 2019 vintage, and it was raised and aged in stainless steel. The nose is pure with fresh white strawberry, raspberry, and white flowers. Approachable and dry, with a rounded mousse, notes of fresh raspberry fill the palate, tapering to fresh salted grapefruit citrus on the finish. This is a great value and versatile as an aperitif. I personally like this for early drinking, although it should continue nicely over the next 6-8 years." (Nov 2022)