The 2019 Rive Gauche Rive Droite cuvée from Champagne Marc Hébrart is a subtle interpretation of the Marne Valley. It blends equal parts Pinot Noir from Aÿ on the right bank and Chardonnay from the Côte des Blancs (Oiry, Chouilly, and Avize) on the left bank. This duality symbolizes the balance between power and elegance, roundness and tension.
This 2019 vintage, aged entirely in small old oak barrels, expresses the quest for harmony that is so dear to the Hébrart house: a champagne that is structured, mineral, and precise, made for aging.
The production of Marc Hébrart Rive Gauche Rive Droite 2019
The blend combines 50% Chardonnay and 50% Pinot Noir, selected from emblematic terroirs in Champagne. The aim is to create a cuvée that strikes a perfect balance between the chalky freshness of the left bank and the assertive maturity of the right bank.
- Chardonnay (50%) brings energy, brightness, and mineral length.
- Pinot Noir (50%) brings structure, fullness, and fleshy fruit.
The terroir
The Chardonnays come from the Côte des Blancs (Oiry, Chouilly, Avize), chalky terroirs with southern exposure that produce straightforward, salty wines. The Pinot Noir is grown on the slopesof Aÿ, on the right bank of the Marne, where the deeper clay-limestone soils impart richness and complexity. This geological and climatic contrast creates a natural tension between power and precision.
Vinification
The entire cuvée is vinified and aged in small, old oak barrels. This aging process ensures controlled micro-oxygenation and a creamy texture without any woody notes. The wine rests on fine lees until bottling, then ages for 16 months on slats before disgorging. Dosage: Extra Brut (3 g/L), to preserve the natural balance between tension and roundness.
The 2019 vintage
The 2019 vintage was characterized by a cool spring followed by a hot, dry summer, ensuring full ripeness and concentrated juices. The Chardonnays from the Côte des Blancs retained a clean acidity and vibrant salinity, while the Pinot Noirs from Aÿ offered density and spicy notes. Together, they form a full-bodied and structured champagne, balanced by a mineral tension of rare precision.
Tasting notes
Color
Light gold with straw-colored highlights. Fine, persistent effervescence. Crystal-clear brilliance announcing purity and energy.
Nose
Expressive nose combining white flowers, citrus zest, and fresh almonds. With aeration, nuances of peach, toasted hazelnut, and flint appear. A straightforward and harmonious bouquet.
Palate
Full-bodied and chiseled attack. Creamy texture from barrel aging, supported by a chalky tension. Ripe yellow fruit, citrus, noble bitterness, and a long saline finish. The structure of the Pinot Noir marries the verticality of the Chardonnay in exemplary harmony.
Food pairing
The chalky density and woody finesse of the wine call for textured pairings: noble fish, white meats, and dishes with toasted notes.
- Scallop carpaccio
- Sea bream tartare with lime
- Gougères with mature Comté cheese
- Roasted turbot fillet
- Truffled poultry with reduced jus
- Lobster risotto
- Roasted peaches with honey
- Almond and lemon tart
- Hazelnut and citrus financier
Storage and serving
How to store this vintage
Store the 2019 Rive Gauche Rive Droite vintage in a cellar at a stable temperature between 10 and 12°C, away from light and vibrations. Thanks to its woody structure and balance, it can age gracefully for 8 to 10 years. Over time, the wine will develop notes of hazelnut, wax, and dried fruit while retaining a beautiful chalky freshness.
Ageing potential
Optimal window: 2025–2035. 2025–2028: pure, lemony expression. 2029–2032: broader texture, fine honey, brioche, and sweet spices. 2033–2035: more mature profile, balance between vinosity and persistent salinity.
How to serve Rive Gauche Rive Droite 2019?
We recommend serving the cuvée at 10°C in large tulip glasses. Aerating for 10 minutes will release the wine's toasted notes and minerality. Avoid decanting to preserve the finesse of the bubbles and natural tension.
