NV Savart - Champagne Brut l'Ouverture (750ml) [PRE ARRIVAL]

Frédéric Savart nearly became a professional footballer, having signed a youth contract with Stade de Reims, but chose instead to return to his family's vines when a move to another club would have taken him away from the woman he later married. The Savart family has farmed in the Premier Cru villages of Écueil and Villers-aux-Noeuds since 1947, when Frédéric's grandfather René first planted vines, and Frédéric took over the small estate from his father Daniel in 2005. He describes his approach as a laboratory of terroirs, farming organically and biodynamically across just a few hectares.

L'Ouverture, the entry point into Savart's range, is made entirely from Pinot Noir grown on the sandy, chalky soils of Écueil. The wine blends three different vintages, part fermented in neutral barrels and part in stainless steel, with a touch of malolactic fermentation to soften its texture, then rests on the lees for at least two years before disgorgement.

The result is a straw-yellow Champagne with aromas of red cherry, raspberry, and pear, layered with brioche and warm spice. The palate is taut and satisfying, finishing on a chalky, mineral note. Pair it with roast turkey or a sharp aged cheddar.