Savart
Écueil, Champagne, France
Winemaker: Frédéric Savart
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“His wines are contemporary in the best sense of the word, combining a vivid depth of fruit with an intense and finely detailed expression of place.”
Peter Liem, Champagne Guide
Peter Liem, Champagne Guide
Frédéric was born into a family of vignerons, but his real dream was to be a professional footballer. He even signed a youth contract with Stade de Reims, playing as an attacking midfielder, but after meeting the woman who was to become his wife, he refused a potential transfer to another club, and decided to return home to work with his father, Daniel.
The family estate was founded by Daniel's father, René Savart, who purchased his first vines in 1947. Daniel himself took over the winemaking in the 1970s, although production remained extremely small until the mid-1980s, when he significantly expanded the family's vineyard holdings. Since 2005, Frédéric has been at the helm of the estate, although Daniel continues to be very much present, cheerfully greeting visitors and happy to share a glass of wine.
Today, the Savarts farm four hectares of vines, three in Ecueil and one in the neighboring village of Villiers-aux-Noeuds. Nearly all of it is pinot noir, with just a half-hectare of chardonnay: "Historically, Ecueil is a pinot noir terroir," says Frédéric Savart. His philosophy in the vineyards is to prevent disease as much as possible, rather than treat it—towards this end, he prefers a holistic approach, creating an environment within which the plant is better equipped to resist malady on its own. The soils in this area can vary: many parcels in Ecueil are notably sandy, although there's more clay on the mid-slope, and a few areas that are relatively chalky. The soils of Villiers-aux-Noeuds are generally chalkier than those of Ecueil, and Savart's vineyards here are particularly prized for their sélection massale of the renowned pinot fin d'Ecueil, planted here by Daniel and René.
Most of Savart's wines are fermented in stainless steel, although he is increasing the use of barriques, which he has been working with since 2004. Malolactic may be carried out or not, depending on the individual wine and the particularities of the vintage.
Information courtesy of Peter Liem's ChampagneGuide.net ©
These wines grace the lists of the world’s leading restaurants - El Cellar de Can Roca, noma, Eleven Madison Park, RyuGin etc
These are stunning wines of minuscule production, and we are excited to bring a small allocation to Australia.
Wines currently available:
NV L’Ouverture Brut Premier Cru
Terrior - Ecueil
Grape - 100% Pinot Noir
Dosage - 7g/L
Details - Stainless steel only and full malolactic
NV L'Accomplie Extra Brut Premier Cru
Terroir - Ecueil, Villers-aux-Noeuds
Grape - 80% Pinot Noir & 20% Chardonnay
Dosage - 5g/L
NV Bulles de Rosé Brut Premier Cru
Terroir - Ecueil
Grape - 70% Pinot Noir, 22% Chardonnay, 8% Pinot Noir (Red Wine)
Dosage - 6g/L
Details - 80% stainless steel, 20% old oak barrels and partial malolactic
2013 L’Année Extra Brut Premier Cru
Terroir - Ecueil, Villers-aux-Noeuds
Grape - 55% Pinot Noir, 45% Chardonnay
Dosage - 3g/L
Details - 100% old oak barrels and no malolactic
“The 2013 L'Annee is a co-fermented blend of 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay vinified in 500-liter barrels. Creamy, ample and expressive, with a real sense of Pinot Noir red fruit inflections, the 2013 is another winner from Savart. This is an especially rich, vinous style. Above all else, the 2013 is a wine of intensity and fruit. It will drink well with minimal cellaring. Dosage is 3 grams per liter. Disgorged February 2017.”
<< Antonio Galloni >> << 94 Points >>
2013 Le Mont Benoit Extra Brut Nature Premier Cru
Terroir - Villers-aux-Noeuds, argilo-calcaire
Grape - 95% Pinot Noir, 5% Chardonnay
Dosage - 3g/L
“The 2013 Le Mont Benoit is 95% Pinot Noir and 5% Chardonnay vinified in a 600-liter oak cask. Vertical structure and a sense of gravitas are two of the signatures. Lemon peel, dried flowers and chamomile are some of the many notes that fill out the wine's broad frame. There is no shortage of power, but the Annee has a bit less finesse than the very best wines in the range. Dosage is 3 grams per liter. Disgorged February 2017.”
<< Antonio Galloni >> << 93 Points >>
2012 Dame de Cœur Extra Brut Premier Cru
Terroir - Ecueil
Grape - 100% Chardonnay
Dosage - 2g/L
Details - The wine is aged in oak barrels on lees without undergoing malolactic fermentation
“The 2012 Extra Brut La Dame de Coeur, 100% Chardonnay from Le Mont des Chrétiens, is fabulous. Time in bottle on the yeast has done wonders for the 2012, which was much less generous and interesting when I saw it last year. Freshly cut flowers mint, chalk, white pepper and citrus notes abound. Precision, tension and class. It's all there, and more, in this striking Champagne from Frederic Savart. Above all else, the 2012 is a wine of pure and total pleasure. Dosage is 2 grams per liter. Disgorged December 2016.”
<< Antonio Galloni >> << 94 Points >>
2013 Le Monte des Chrétiens Extra Brut Premier Cru (formerly) La Dame de Cœur (MAGNUMS ONLY)
Terroir - Ecueil
Grape - 100% Chardonnay
Dosage - 2g/L
Details - The wine is aged in oak barrels on lees without undergoing malolactic fermentation
“Another of the highlights in this tasting, the 2013 Extra Brut Le Mont des Chrétiens (formerly La Dame de Coeur) is a total knock-out. A stunningly beautiful, vivid Champagne, the 2013 possesses remarkable depth. The flavors are bright and crystalline throughout. This is the finest Champagne I have ever tasted from Savart. The oak needs a bit more time to integrate, but the wine's potential is evident, even at this early stage. Sadly, there are just 500 magnums to go around. Dosage is 2 grams per liter. Disgorged February 2017.”
<< Antonio Galloni >> << 95 Points >>
The family estate was founded by Daniel's father, René Savart, who purchased his first vines in 1947. Daniel himself took over the winemaking in the 1970s, although production remained extremely small until the mid-1980s, when he significantly expanded the family's vineyard holdings. Since 2005, Frédéric has been at the helm of the estate, although Daniel continues to be very much present, cheerfully greeting visitors and happy to share a glass of wine.
Today, the Savarts farm four hectares of vines, three in Ecueil and one in the neighboring village of Villiers-aux-Noeuds. Nearly all of it is pinot noir, with just a half-hectare of chardonnay: "Historically, Ecueil is a pinot noir terroir," says Frédéric Savart. His philosophy in the vineyards is to prevent disease as much as possible, rather than treat it—towards this end, he prefers a holistic approach, creating an environment within which the plant is better equipped to resist malady on its own. The soils in this area can vary: many parcels in Ecueil are notably sandy, although there's more clay on the mid-slope, and a few areas that are relatively chalky. The soils of Villiers-aux-Noeuds are generally chalkier than those of Ecueil, and Savart's vineyards here are particularly prized for their sélection massale of the renowned pinot fin d'Ecueil, planted here by Daniel and René.
Most of Savart's wines are fermented in stainless steel, although he is increasing the use of barriques, which he has been working with since 2004. Malolactic may be carried out or not, depending on the individual wine and the particularities of the vintage.
Information courtesy of Peter Liem's ChampagneGuide.net ©
These wines grace the lists of the world’s leading restaurants - El Cellar de Can Roca, noma, Eleven Madison Park, RyuGin etc
These are stunning wines of minuscule production, and we are excited to bring a small allocation to Australia.
Wines currently available:
NV L’Ouverture Brut Premier Cru
Terrior - Ecueil
Grape - 100% Pinot Noir
Dosage - 7g/L
Details - Stainless steel only and full malolactic
NV L'Accomplie Extra Brut Premier Cru
Terroir - Ecueil, Villers-aux-Noeuds
Grape - 80% Pinot Noir & 20% Chardonnay
Dosage - 5g/L
NV Bulles de Rosé Brut Premier Cru
Terroir - Ecueil
Grape - 70% Pinot Noir, 22% Chardonnay, 8% Pinot Noir (Red Wine)
Dosage - 6g/L
Details - 80% stainless steel, 20% old oak barrels and partial malolactic
2013 L’Année Extra Brut Premier Cru
Terroir - Ecueil, Villers-aux-Noeuds
Grape - 55% Pinot Noir, 45% Chardonnay
Dosage - 3g/L
Details - 100% old oak barrels and no malolactic
“The 2013 L'Annee is a co-fermented blend of 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay vinified in 500-liter barrels. Creamy, ample and expressive, with a real sense of Pinot Noir red fruit inflections, the 2013 is another winner from Savart. This is an especially rich, vinous style. Above all else, the 2013 is a wine of intensity and fruit. It will drink well with minimal cellaring. Dosage is 3 grams per liter. Disgorged February 2017.”
<< Antonio Galloni >> << 94 Points >>
2013 Le Mont Benoit Extra Brut Nature Premier Cru
Terroir - Villers-aux-Noeuds, argilo-calcaire
Grape - 95% Pinot Noir, 5% Chardonnay
Dosage - 3g/L
“The 2013 Le Mont Benoit is 95% Pinot Noir and 5% Chardonnay vinified in a 600-liter oak cask. Vertical structure and a sense of gravitas are two of the signatures. Lemon peel, dried flowers and chamomile are some of the many notes that fill out the wine's broad frame. There is no shortage of power, but the Annee has a bit less finesse than the very best wines in the range. Dosage is 3 grams per liter. Disgorged February 2017.”
<< Antonio Galloni >> << 93 Points >>
2012 Dame de Cœur Extra Brut Premier Cru
Terroir - Ecueil
Grape - 100% Chardonnay
Dosage - 2g/L
Details - The wine is aged in oak barrels on lees without undergoing malolactic fermentation
“The 2012 Extra Brut La Dame de Coeur, 100% Chardonnay from Le Mont des Chrétiens, is fabulous. Time in bottle on the yeast has done wonders for the 2012, which was much less generous and interesting when I saw it last year. Freshly cut flowers mint, chalk, white pepper and citrus notes abound. Precision, tension and class. It's all there, and more, in this striking Champagne from Frederic Savart. Above all else, the 2012 is a wine of pure and total pleasure. Dosage is 2 grams per liter. Disgorged December 2016.”
<< Antonio Galloni >> << 94 Points >>
2013 Le Monte des Chrétiens Extra Brut Premier Cru (formerly) La Dame de Cœur (MAGNUMS ONLY)
Terroir - Ecueil
Grape - 100% Chardonnay
Dosage - 2g/L
Details - The wine is aged in oak barrels on lees without undergoing malolactic fermentation
“Another of the highlights in this tasting, the 2013 Extra Brut Le Mont des Chrétiens (formerly La Dame de Coeur) is a total knock-out. A stunningly beautiful, vivid Champagne, the 2013 possesses remarkable depth. The flavors are bright and crystalline throughout. This is the finest Champagne I have ever tasted from Savart. The oak needs a bit more time to integrate, but the wine's potential is evident, even at this early stage. Sadly, there are just 500 magnums to go around. Dosage is 2 grams per liter. Disgorged February 2017.”
<< Antonio Galloni >> << 95 Points >>
