Marc Hebrart Champagne Rive Gauche / Rive Droite Grand Cru 2014 Extra Brut

- 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, ....“

- GERHARD EICHELMANN: „Die im Holz ausgebaute Cuvee Rive Gauche Rive Droite Extra Brut Millesime vereint Chardonnay aus Oiry (La Justice) und Chouilly (Mont Aigu) mit Pinot Noir aus Ay. Der Wein wird spontanvergoren und nicht filtriert, nur die Coeur de Cuvee wird verwendet, er wird extra-brut dosiert mit etwa 4 Gramm, 2.500 Flaschen werden je Jahr erzeugt.“

-  94 Punkte JEB DUNNUCK, Audrey Frick (7/2022): „The 2014 Champagne Grand Cru Rive Gauche-Rive Droite Brut is equal parts Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, and is expressive with wet asphalt, yellow flowers, and savory broth. There is density and vinosity on the palate as well and it has a light sherry-like salinity, with a combination of red plum and orchard fruit. Drink over the next 10-15 years.“ 2022-2037

- Champagner Spezialist PETER LIEM: "In the 2004 vintage, Hébrart created a new cuvée, based on his experiments with barrel-fermentation. Named Rive Gauche-Rive Droite, referring to its origins on both sides of the Marne River, it was selected from similar parcels as the 2004 Spécial Club - namely, Pruches in Aÿ for the pinot noir and Montaigu in Chouilly and La Justice in Oiry for the chardonnay - and vinified with indigenous yeasts in five- to six-year old 205-liter oak barriques, without bâtonnage. Subsequent releases have been equally as impressive as the initial one, and today it's becoming clear that the Rive Gauche-Rive Droite is a notably different wine from the Club, not necessarily higher in quality, but more resonant, with more gravitas. What will really be thrilling is watching how these two cuvées develop together with further aging.

Half of this blend is pinot noir from Aÿ, while the other half is chardonnay from Oiry, Chouilly and, for the first time, Avize. Compared to Hébrart’s Spécial Club, this appears a little more closed, perhaps due to its vinification in barrel. Ultimately, though, it’s an even finer and more precise wine than the Club is, showing a vibrant, intense depth of fruit flavor yet feeling racy and sleek in structure. Its elegant texture is reflective of grand cru chardonnay, and it finishes with terrific length and complexity, anchored by a fragrant, saline chalkiness. Last tasted: 7/15

Hébrart’s wines have a broad appeal: if you like to think about your wines, they’re intellectually engaging enough to satisfy you; on the other hand, if you’re just looking to drink, they’re simply delicious. The wines are full and generous without being weighty, complex and soil-driven without being demanding. Overall, the entire range is of consistently high quality, and Hébrart is quickly becoming one of the finest grower estates in the Grande Vallée. Happily, his wines also represent excellent value for the money, at least for the moment."