Marc Hebrart Champagne Brut Selection Vieilles Vignes 1er Cru NV

- 94 Punkte TYSON STELZER Champagne Guide 2020: "30% chardonnay from Oiry and Chouilly, 70% pinot noir from Mareuil-sur-Aÿ vines of 45–55 years of age;fermented in stainless steel tanks; full malolactic fermentation; aged 4–4.5 years on lees; 7–7.5g/L dosage; cork
A magnificent entry cuvée that articulates the inimitable talent of Mareuil-sur-Aÿ to magnificently juxtapose the elegance and the presence of pinot noir. For its age, pinot noir predominance and generous reserves, it upholds impressive freshness of Mareuil old-vine lift in precocious red cherry and red berry fruits and waves of anise and fruit mince spice. It concludes with an enticing and seamless fanfare of vibrant morello cherry acidity and wellharmonised dosage. It’s at once succulent and juicy and at the same time lively and fresh, with the pronounced salty chalk minerality of Mareuil tapped as only old vines can do. All hail the great 2013/2012 duo!"

- 92+ Punkte Parkers WINE ADVOCATE, Yohan Castaing (10/2024): „A blend of 70% Pinot Noir from Mareuil-sur-Aÿ and 30% Chardonnay from the communes of Bisseuil and Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, the NV Brut Premier Cru Sélection offers up aromas of pear, white peach, spring flowers and lemon oil mingled with delicate notes of pastry. Medium to full-bodied, with good depth at the core, it's round and vinous, with a delicate, fresh mid-palate that leads to a long, crystalline and pure finish.2024-2034“
Jean-Claude Hébrart leads the house founded by his father, who bottled his first Champagnes in 1962 with just three barrels of production. Now, Jean-Claude manages 17 hectares of vineyards spread across 80 parcels in 11 different villages, with the majority of the vineyards located in Aÿ. He sources grapes for 25% of the production. Hébrart practices precise viticulture, using the Chablis pruning method (which he believes benefits the Chardonnay), working the soils and tillage between rows throughout the estate, and avoiding sowing. His Champagnes showcase vinous, incisive and saline textures, focusing on bright, crystalline characters.

- 92 Punkte Robert Parkers WINE ADVOCATE, William Kelley: "The latest rendition of Hébrart's NV Brut Premier Cru Sélection, disgorged earlier this year, is derived largely from Mareuil-sur-Ay, supplemented by some 13% from Chouilly. Offering up aromas of citrus oil, white flowers and fresh pastry, it's medium to full-bodied, with good concentration and structure in a charming format, concluding with an elegantly chalky finish."

- 91 Punkte VINOUS, Antonio Galloni (11/2021): „The NV Brut Sélection is a gorgeous introduction to this range. Creamy and open-knit, with compelling balance, the Sélection is absolutely engaging. Orchard fruit, white flowers, mint and citrus lend captivating perfume and freshness. I very much admire the energy and sense of proportion here. This release is 70% Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Disgorged: May 6, 2020.“

- 91 Punkte VINOUS, Antonio Galloni (12/2019): "The NV Brut Selection, a cuv´ée from 50+ year-old vines, is rich and ample in feel. The natural weight and resonance of these old vines is what comes through most. The Brut Selection impresses with notable texture and tons of sheer appeal. It is another fabulous value in this range from Hebrart. The Selection is a blend of 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay, equal parts 2015 and 2014, from Mareuil-sur-Ay, Avenay Val d'Or and Bisseuil. Dosage is 7 grams per liter. Disgorged: November, 2018."

- Christian Göldenboog & Oliver Rüther im wunderbaren Buch „Die Champagner Macher“: „Bei Hebrarts Champagner komm stets Freude auf, so als hätte die Horn-Section von Earth, Wind & Fire gerade zum Blasen angesetzt, beim Blanc de Blancs ebenso wie beim Brut Selection, bei dem zwei Drittel blaue Tauben für den Biss sorgen."

- 90 Punkte und unter den TOP Champagnern beim "Champagne panel tasting: Bottles to look for under £40" DECANTER: "A good all-round style with some complexity of yeasty, bready notes, in combination with a satisfying freshness and nicely integrated yet persistent bubbles."

- ++ TERRY THEISE 2019 Terry Theise Estate Selections Champagne: "The vines range from 40 to 55. Very often this Champagne is something of a guilty secret, because it’s a ludicrous VALUE and if everyone knew about it you’d be dissuaded from trading up to Club. Maybe. I don’t really see this as a “superior NV Brut” so much as the entrée into the Têtes-de-Cuvées, analogous to Vilmart’s Grand Cellier. Why buy this, though, when the NV is so good? First, it is two years older. The vines are older. There’s more Chardonnay in it. It’s all Mareuil, so mono-communal, more terroiré. The aromas are also white; white flowers, white tea, chalk, jasmine rice, lemon blossom, and the wine is creamier, more rapturous and euphoric. Many growers’ top wines don’t come near to this. Pleasure-for-Dollar, this is as good as it gets. And this year it flirts with sublimity. This year’s masterpiece is 50/50 2015/2014. It’s 70% PN (markedly higher than usual) from Mareuil and Avenay, and 30% Chard from Bisseuil. Deg 10/2018. Even with more PN it still has the lemony lift and length we know; it’s less different from the NV than it is a refinement of that wine, a different emphasis; springier, more lithe, more patisserie, with an almost buttery finish."

- TERRY THEISE 2019 Terry Theise Estate Selections Champagne:  "I have no idea why I’ve never done this for Champagne! Permit me to draw your attention to this short-list of indispensable masterpieces, some of which might have been below your radar.
THE GREATEST WINES IN THIS OFFERING ARE:
HÉBRART “Mes Favorites”
HÉBRART 2014 Spécial Club
HÉBRART 2015 Les Noces de Craie
THE GREATEST VALUES IN THIS OFFERING ARE:
HÉBRART Selection NV
THE BEST NV BRUT IN THIS OFFERING IS:
HÉBRART “Reserve”