Chartogne-Taillet Champagne St. Anne Extra Brut NV

50 % Chardonnay, 50 % Pinot Noir; Dosage 4,5 g/l

- 5* GERHARD EICHELMANN: "Der Sainte-Anne Brut besteht aus 65 Prozent Pinot Noir und 35 Prozent Chardonnay; 2013 enthält 35 Prozent Reserveweine aus den drei vorausgegangenen Jahren, wurde mit 5,5 Gramm dosiert. Er zeigt feine rauchige Noten, gelbe früchte, Quitten, ist Frisch und klar, complex, harmonisch, besitzt feine Süße, mineralische Noten, schöne Präzision, Frische und Länge. Dies ist die letzte ganz im Edelstahl ausgebaute Cuvee Sainte Anne, ab 2014 wurde ein Teil in Holz ausgebaut. Sainte Anne zeigt bemerkenswerte Konstanz und kann auch reifen."

- *(*) PETER LIEM champagneguide.net: "While this contains 45 percent of reserve wine, it clearly shows the vivacity and intensity of its base vintage, its ripe depth of fruit feeling bright and floral. Its racy structure contrasts an elegant, silky texture, and the aromas persist on the finish with length and poise. Incidentally, beginning with this release, Chartogne has begun using a liqueurfor dosage rather than MCR, although how much of a difference that might make, I cannot yet ascertain. Last tasted: 3/15.

Chartogne-Taillet’s non-vintage brut is called the Cuvée Sainte-Anne, named for the patron saint of Merfy. It’s a fine introduction to the region’s terroir - in the last few years it has become drier and more vinous as Alexandre puts his personal stamp on the wine. 

Chartogne-Taillet’s wines are harmonious and deliciously satisfying, and in recent years they have become increasingly more vinous and complex in expression, reflecting the focus on a more sensitive viticulture. They are strongly driven by the terroir of the Massif de St-Thierry, shaped by the sand and clay soils of the region, and they are the finest champagnes being made today in this historically important area north of Reims. While Alexandre Chartogne is not necessarily a partisan of ultra-low dosage, the dosage levels have recently been decreasing here in response to riper fruit, resulting in a more vibrant balance and intensity. Alexandre’s work so far has been very impressive, and he is well on his way to establishing the estate among Champagne's elite."

- 92 Punkte Parkers WINE ADVOCATE, David Schildknecht: "The latest installment of one of my favorite “intro-level” Champagnes, the Chartogne-Taillet NV Brut Cuvee Ste.-Anne Disg. 6/2013 pushes the qualitative element even beyond what I recall under this label from two or three years ago, and must be counted (relative to its appellation) as a sensational value. A haunting nose of ocean spray with clam and oyster liquor anticipates the mouthwateringly saline, mysteriously meaty and seaweed-tinged aspects of a polished palate that’s also informed by luscious, pit-tinged white peach, fresh lemon and almond. (And were it not for that last trio, here would surely be one of those wondrous instances where you find yourself asking how a wine’s flavors can possibly come from grapes!) Ultra-juicy and palate- as well as saliva gland-massaging, the finish here left me licking my lips in anticipation of the next sip. What’s more, this cuvee is among the most versatile at table of any in Champagne. Feel free to follow the current disgorgement for 2-3 years. The blend, by the way, is 60-40 Chardonnay-Pinot and features vintage 2010 with 40% from 2009 and 2008. 
Under the direction of still-young Alexandre Chartogne, the wines of Chartogne-Taillet – long praised, yet in my view still under-rated – seem to be going from strength to strength, fueled by exemplary experimentalism and attention to detail, not to mention passion. Among the more conspicuous recent innovations at this cellar in out-of-the way Merfy (on the Massif de Saint-Thierry immediately northwest of Reims) is the use of concrete eggs for fermentation and aging, a shape and material designed to enhance lees contact via Brownian motion. The emergence here of single-cepage single-vineyard bottlings, reflects a trend among intrepid young Champagne vintners. And the aforementioned experimentalism naturally encompasses serious dosage trials, with results that consistently hit the “sweet spots” of expression (even if these are not literally in the least sweet)."

- TASTE MAGAZIN Britta Wiegelmann: "Fundstück: Champagner mit Gefühl: Lassen Sie Lanson links liegen, pfeifen Sie auf Piper, verschmähen Sie Veuve Clicquot. Beim jungen Winzer Alexandre Chartogne gibt’s mindestens so viel Können – und viel mehr Emotion.
Wohlgemerkt: Dies ist Alexandre Chartognes Basiswein. Das 33-jährige Champagnertalent erzeugt jährlich bis zu zehn verschiedene Gewächse: individuell, ausdrucksstark – die Champagne von ihren besten, aber auch eigenwilligsten Seiten. Die Cuvée Sainte Anne ist seine Basis-Cuvée. Eine Assemblage verschiedener Lagen, im Edelstahl vinifiziert und jung auf den Markt gebracht. Der pure Genuss! Frisch, blumig, einladend. In der Nase Limette, Mandarinenschale und Kräuterwürze. Am Gaumen zupackende und doch feine Perlage. Perfekte Balance zwischen diskretem Zucker, spritziger Säure und eleganter Herbe. Ein saftiger, beschwingter Tropfen mit viel Persönlichkeit. Und ein Grund, nie wieder Markenchampagner zu kaufen. Dieses Kunststück aus Winzerhand bietet viel mehr fürs Geld."

- 92 Punkte VINOUS, Antonio Galloni (11/2020): "The NV Brut Cuvée Ste.-Anne is one of the best Champagnes readers will find in its price range, or any price range, for that matter. Bright and beautifully focused, the Ste.-Anne has so much to offer. The purity of the flavors is just remarkable. If anything, it needs more time on the cork to soften, as it is quite reticent at this stage. This release is based on 2017, with reserve wines from 2016 and 2015. The blend is 40% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay and 20% Meunier, with the Chardonnay very much in evidence at this stage. Dosage is 5.15 grams/liter. Disgorged: February, 2020."

- 92 Punkte TYSON STELZER The Champagne Guide: "Chartogne-Taillet's entry wine is always good value, a blend from across estate Merfy vineyards. An ever-increasing reliance on pinot noir is showcased in depth and presence of red cherry, strawberry and lemon fruit. It presents fine minerality supported by well-integrated acidity, finishing long and fine with nicely textured mouthfeel and a fine bead. Notes of charcuterie sit behind the fruit. An enticingly full, fleshy finish contrasts with its salt mineral texture and bright acidity. Definitive Merfy."

- 91 Punkte Robert Parkers WINE ADVOCATE, William Kelley (1/2022): „Based on the 2018 vintage and disgorged in March 2021 with five grams per liter dosage, Chartogne's newly released NV Brut Sainte Anne reveals inviting aromas of pear, white peach, fresh bread and white flowers. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and charming, it's seamless and enveloping, with a generous core of fruit, lively acids and a pillowy mousse. It's a lovely wine that wears its heart on its sleeve.“

- 92 Punkte WINESPECTATOR (10/2021): „A distinctive Champagne, high-toned and floral with its cherry blossom and spice aromatics accenting the steeped raspberry, orange peel and salted almond flavors. Finely textured, like raw silk on the palate, this is bright and mouthwatering on the lingering finish. Disgorged January 2021. Drink now through 2024.“