The 2020 Noces de Craie cuvée from Hébrart Champagne is a Blanc de Noirs Grand Cru produced exclusively in the villageof Aÿ. Made entirely from Pinot Noir (100%), it combines dense fruit and chalky integrity with precise energy and a salty finish.
The production of Hébrart's Noces de Craie 2020 champagne
Made from old vines inAÿ Grand Cru (massal selection from several iconic locations), this pure Pinot Noir is vinified with precision to preserve the purity of the juice and the chalky tension.
- Pinot Noir (100%) brings structure, energy, and red fruit.
The terroir
In Aÿ, chalk lies just beneath a layer of limestone, providing ideal water reserves and strong light reflection. This mineral matrix gives Pinot Noir a mouthwatering vinosity, precise red fruit aromas, and anoble bitter edge. The exposure of the hillsides brings maturity and depth, while the chalk provides straightness and length.
Vinification
The grapes are gently pressed and then fermented in stainless steel vats to ensure a clear expression of the fruit.Aging on fine lees adds volume without heaviness. Malolactic fermentation is carried out to soften the acidity and smooth the texture. The very moderate Extra Brut dosage serves as a bridge between the maturity of Pinot Noir and the chalky tension of Aÿ.
The 2020 vintage
An early and sunny vintage, 2020 gave Aÿ ripe and lively Pinot Noirs. The summer heat enhanced the fleshiness and red fruit notes, while the chalky hillsides maintained an internal freshness and marked salinity. For Pinot Noir, the impact is reflected in full-bodied texture, well-integrated acidity, and a finish extended by minerality.
Tasting notes
Color
Pale gold with coppery highlights. Fine, regular effervescence. Clear brilliance heralding a dense and lively body.
Nose
Raspberry, light cherry, orange peel. Hints of almond, toasted bread and wet chalk. Pure, precise and unadorned.
Palate
Juicy attack, full-bodied and taut texture. Fine bubbles, crisp red fruit, noble bitterness. Long, salty, very chalky finish.
Food pairing suggestions
The vinosity of Pinot Noir and the tension of the chalk lend themselves to dishes with delicate textures and clean seasoning: meaty fish, roasted poultry, and light sauces. The salty finish calls for slightly grilled dishes with a hint of the sea.
- Comté cheese gougères
- Lemon-marinated salmon
- Crab rillettes
- Pan-fried scallops
- Roasted poultry with clear gravy
- Grilled sea bass with fresh herbs
- Poached peach with verbena
- Baked apple with honey
- Light lemon tart
Storage and serving
Storing this vintage
Dark cellar, 10–12°C, humidity ~70%. Store bottles horizontally. Avoid vibrations and temperature fluctuations. Allow to rest for 24–48 hours after transport before opening.
Aging potential
Optimal window: 2025–2037. 2025–2028: vibrant red fruit, chalky tension, lively bubbles. 2029–2033: creamier texture, notes of fine brioche, almond, and citrus zest; increased saline finish. 2034–2037: elegant tertiary complexity (dried fruit, light honey, flint) while retaining a structuring freshness thanks to the low dosage.
Serving
Serve at 10°C in tulip glasses. Do not decant. Open 10 minutes before serving to allow the foam to settle and the minerality to express itself.
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