2013 Marc Hebrart ‘Special Club’ 1er Cru Brut Champagne 1.5L

Winemaker Notes: Jean-Paul Hébrart took over the operations of Marc Hébrart Champagne in the Vallée de la Marne from his father Marc in 1997. This estate is not exactly new: Jean-Paul’s father has been producing champagne under the Marc Hébrart name since 1964 and has been a member of the Special Club since 1985. Hébrart farms 14 hectares of vines on 65 different sites in 6 villages: the 1er cru vineyards of Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, Avenay, Val d’Or and Bisseuil and the grand crus villages of Aÿ as well as Chouilly and Oiry in the Côte des Blancs. Each parcel is always vinified separately in glass lined stainless steel and ceramic tanks. He is slowly phasing out the ceramic as it is more difficult to control the temperature. Hébrart is also experimenting barrel fermentation and indigenous yeast fermentation for some of his older vine parcels.

CRITICAL ACCLAIM

Tom Cannavan - 94pts - "In 2013 the blend was 30% old vines Pinot Noir from Mareuil-sur-Aÿ (parcels: Faubourg D'enfer, Croix Blanche, Pruche), 25% Pinot Noir from Aÿ (parcels: Cheuzelles, Pierre Robert, Le Leon), 35% old vines Chardonnay from Mareuil-sur-Aÿ (parcels: Beauregard, Ramonette, Buisson Saint Loup) and 10% Chardonnay from Oiry and Chouilly. Fermented in stainless steel from the coeur de cuvée, with a dosage of 6.5 g/l. On paper, this vintage was similar to 2012, with a combination of high acidity and high potential alcohol. However, unlike the previous vintage, flowering was much later, leading to a late September and early October harvest. Cuvées from this year possess a minerality, freshness, and coolness of fruit that reminds me of 2008. The Hebrart 2013 Special Club is especially fine, with its throttled back aromatics and desirable austerity. This Champagne will certainly take a while to show its hand, but I have no doubts that given time, it will give the 2012 a run for its money and possibly earn a score of 94/100 too. Drink: 2024-2032."