Saint Chamant Blanc de Blancs (2013)

D&M NOTES (MK, 12/2025):

TASTING: The Blanc de Blancs Carte Or L13 is based solely on the 2013 vintage. It was aged for over ten years on its lees before being disgorged in March of 2025 with a dosage of 5 grams per liter. The nose opens with aromas of yellow apple, classic notes of toast and brioche, a hit of citrus, nectarine, a core of chalk. The palate is light bodied with moderate acidity and flavors that echo the nose with fruits, chalk, cream and toast in excellent harmony. This is both delightful right now, and will drink well through 2035.

ABOUT THE PRODUCER: The Coquillette family. has been deeply involved with the Champagne business for four generations with Stéphane’s grandmother Hélène Coquillette being the first to make and market Champagnes in the village of Chouilly in 1928. After gaining success presenting her wines in Paris, she founded Saint Chamant in 1930. Her son Christian took over the family estate in 1950 and ran it with a steady grip for the next 70 years. When his son Stéphane reached the age of 25 in 1979, he started his own grower operation under his name.  When his father subsequently passed away in 2020, Stéphane became the rarity in the area:  both an upstart and established producer. The Saint Chamant cellars are located in Épernay. Here an anonymous exterior gives way to subterranean cellars built in the early 19th century which are a mile long — and lined with hundreds of thousands of carefully aging Champagne bottles. The style of Saint-Chamant is marked by very long lees aging, and primarily Blanc de Blancs. They hold more than 28 acres of Chardonnay vineyards in the Chouilly Grand Cru, and it is from that set of holdings that we have your cuvee. Stéphane is a firm believer in extended lees aging, and he disgorges only once the wines have been ordered.