Pascal Doquet Champagne

Pascal Doquet’s Champ d’Alouettes 2005 is a rare, mature Blanc de Blancs created from a single vineyard in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, one of the most prestigious Grand Cru villages of Champagne’s Côte des Blancs. Produced entirely from Chardonnay, this limited cuvée combines the power and concentration of the 2005 vintage with the chalky precision, salinity and long-lived structure for which Le Mesnil is celebrated.

The fruit comes from Champ d’Alouettes, a mid-slope lieu-dit situated in the heart of Le Mesnil-sur-Oger. The parcel’s chalk-rich, freely draining soils encourage the vines to develop deep root systems, giving the finished Champagne remarkable mineral intensity and depth. Pascal Doquet selected fruit from some of the estate’s finest vines in this parcel to produce a wine that reflects the identity of the site with exceptional clarity.

The wine was vinified and matured partly in oak barrels, adding texture and subtle breadth without overwhelming its mineral character. Malolactic fermentation was avoided to preserve the natural freshness and tension of the Chardonnay. It then spent an exceptionally long period aging on its lees in bottle, developing the fine mousse, creamy texture and complex mature aromas associated with carefully cellared vintage Champagne. The final dosage is approximately 3 grams per liter, placing it firmly in the dry Extra-Brut category.

In the glass, Champ d’Alouettes 2005 displays a luminous deep golden color and a fine, persistent bead. The bouquet opens with lemon oil, candied citrus peel, baked apple and ripe pear, followed by layers of toasted brioche, hazelnut, almond, dried white flowers and subtle honeycomb. With air, notes of crushed chalk, oyster shell, smoke and warm spice emerge, revealing the complexity of extended lees aging.

The palate is structured, vinous and beautifully concentrated. Flavors of preserved lemon, yellow apple, Mirabelle plum and citrus zest are balanced by toasted nuts, biscuit and delicate spice. A firm chalky backbone runs through the wine, providing freshness and precision despite the richness of the mature vintage. The Extra-Brut dosage keeps the finish dry, focused and saline, with lingering notes of citrus, roasted hazelnut and mineral chalk.

This is a fully developed, gastronomic Champagne that is drinking beautifully now. Its depth and maturity make it an excellent choice for collectors, special occasions or anyone looking to experience an aged, single-vineyard Grower Champagne from one of the Côte des Blancs’ greatest terroirs.

Serve moderately chilled rather than ice-cold, preferably in a generous Champagne or white-wine glass, to allow its mature aromas and layered texture to unfold. It pairs beautifully with oysters, scallops, langoustines, lobster, turbot, sole in beurre blanc, roast chicken with mushrooms, truffle risotto, aged Comté, Parmesan or mature goat cheese.

Grape: 100% Chardonnay
Country: France
Region: Champagne
Area: Côte des Blancs
Village: Le Mesnil-sur-Oger
Classification: Grand Cru
Vineyard: Champ d’Alouettes
Vintage: 2005
Style: Blanc de Blancs Extra-Brut
Vinification: Partly vinified and matured in oak barrels
Malolactic Fermentation: No
Lees Aging: Extended aging in bottle; approximately 15 years reported
Dosage: Approximately 3 g/L
Alcohol: Approximately 12.5%
Bottle Size: 750ml
Availability: Extremely limited

Pascal Doquet’s Vertus Coeur de Terroir Brut 2009 is a rare, long-aged Grower Champagne created to express the finest mid-slope vineyards of Vertus. It was the first wine conceived for Doquet’s Coeur de Terroir series, a collection devoted to individual villages, historic parcels and the distinctive character of their soils.

The fruit comes from Pascal’s best Premier Cru sites in Vertus, including Barrilliers, Nuisats, Vieille Voie, Corvées, Grange au Bar, Les Grues and La Barre. These vineyards are rooted in Cretaceous chalk and clay, soils that give the wine both mineral definition and a broader, more generous texture than the sharply linear Champagnes of nearby Le Mesnil-sur-Oger. The vineyards are certified organic by Ecocert.

The 2009 blend is composed of 70% Chardonnay and 30% Pinot Noir. The Pinot Noir comes from La Barre and contributes structure, depth and a subtle red-fruit character, while the Chardonnay provides freshness, chalky tension and length. The wine was vinified and matured for approximately 11 months in neutral oak barrels, allowing gradual oxygen exposure and textural development without introducing strong new-oak flavors. Full malolactic fermentation further rounds the acidity and contributes to its creamy, vinous character.

After bottling, the Champagne spent an exceptional 12 years aging sur latte before disgorgement. This prolonged contact with the lees developed considerable complexity, richness and fine texture while preserving the mineral energy of the Vertus terroir. It was finished with a very low dosage of approximately 2 grams per liter of MCR, placing it stylistically near Extra-Brut despite the Brut designation.

In the glass, it is full-bodied and deeply layered, with a fine, persistent mousse. Aromas of ripe apple, preserved lemon and pear are joined by toasted brioche, hazelnut, dried flowers and subtle red-fruit notes. With air, more mature tones of pastry, warm spice, chalk and savory lees emerge. The palate is broad and creamy, balanced by bright acidity and a firm mineral core. The finish is long, dry and saline, with lingering notes of citrus, orchard fruit, toast and chalk.

This is a gastronomic Champagne with the depth and maturity to accompany a full meal. It pairs beautifully with roasted poultry, veal, lobster, scallops, mushroom dishes, truffle risotto, creamy sauces, aged Comté, Gruyère or mature goat cheese. Serve it in a white-wine glass rather than a narrow flute to fully appreciate its developed aromas and layered texture.

Grapes: 70% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir
Country: France
Region: Champagne
Appellation: Côte des Blancs
Village: Vertus
Classification: Premier Cru
Vintage: 2009
Vineyards: Barrilliers, Nuisats, Vieille Voie, Corvées, Grange au Bar, Les Grues and La Barre
Soils: Cretaceous chalk and clay
Farming: Certified organic by Ecocert
Vinification: Neutral oak barrels
Élevage: Approximately 11 months in neutral oak
Lees Aging: 12 years sur latte
Malolactic Fermentation: Yes
Dosage: 2 g/L MCR
Alcohol: 12.5%
Bottle Size: 750ml
Style: Vintage Premier Cru Champagne; full-bodied, leesy and mineral-driven

A rare, mature Blanc de Blancs from Pascal Doquet’s Coeur de Terroir collection, created to express the character of a single, distinctive Champagne landscape. Produced entirely from organically grown Chardonnay, this 2007 vintage comes from Mont Aimé, a historic chalk outcrop situated east of Vertus in the southern Côte des Blancs. Pascal Doquet farms just under nine hectares across several important Champagne villages and has become widely recognized for mineral-driven wines made with a strong commitment to vineyard health and organic agriculture.

Although the Mont Aimé vineyards face south, the site has a noticeably cooler microclimate than Doquet’s parcels in Vertus and Le Mesnil-sur-Oger. The Chardonnay here can ripen approximately one week later, extending the growing season and helping the fruit retain freshness, acidity and aromatic precision. The site’s chalky soils contribute the firm mineral structure and persistent saline character that distinguish this Champagne.

The term Coeur de Terroir, or “heart of the terroir,” identifies Doquet’s most site-specific and limited-production wines. Rather than blending fruit from several villages, these bottlings are intended to capture the identity of an individual place and vintage. The 2007 Mont Aimé is therefore both a mature vintage Champagne and a focused expression of this cooler, less familiar corner of the Côte des Blancs.

In the glass, it is creamy, finely textured and beautifully balanced, with aromas of ripe apple, spiced pear and exotic spices. As it opens, layers of cinnamon, subtle chocolate, toasted pastry and chalky minerality emerge. The palate is medium-bodied, supported by fine bubbles and fresh acidity, with a precise, flavorful and persistent finish. James Suckling awarded the wine 93 points, praising its balance, comforting texture and spicy complexity. The wine was made without added sulfites.

Extended bottle aging has given this Champagne considerable depth and tertiary complexity while preserving the energy and mineral definition associated with Pascal Doquet’s wines. It is ready to enjoy now but should continue to evolve when stored under proper cellar conditions.

Serve slightly warmer than a young non-vintage Champagne to allow its mature aromas and layered texture to fully emerge. It is an excellent partner for seared scallops, lobster, roasted turbot, grilled seafood, mushroom dishes, poultry in cream sauce, aged Comté, creamy washed-rind cheeses or an aged French goat cheese.

Grape: 100% Chardonnay
Country: France
Region: Champagne
Area: Mont Aimé, Côte des Blancs
Vintage: 2007
Style: Blanc de Blancs Vintage Champagne
Cuvée: Coeur de Terroir
Classification: Premier Cru
Farming: Organic
Bottle Size: 750ml
Alcohol: Approximately 12.5%
Sulfites: No sulfites added

93 Points — James Suckling

A beautifully mature, terroir-focused Grower Champagne offering creamy texture, refined bubbles, exotic spice and the distinctive chalky freshness of Mont Aimé.

A remarkable Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs from the celebrated chalk soils of Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Diapason is a precise, mineral-driven expression of Chardonnay from one of the Côte des Blancs’ most prestigious villages.

The ripe 2015 harvest forms the base of the cuvée, complemented by reserve wines maintained through a perpetual reserve system. The fruit comes from old Chardonnay vines rooted deeply in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger’s Cretaceous chalk, including parcels planted as far back as the 1920s. These exceptionally chalky soils give the Champagne its signature tension, salinity, and finely etched mineral character.

Pascal Doquet has farmed organically for many years and has been certified organic by Ecocert since 2010. The grapes are harvested by hand and fermented with indigenous yeasts. Approximately half of the wine is vinified in neutral oak barrels, while the remainder is fermented in enamel-lined tanks, preserving freshness while adding subtle texture and complexity. Malolactic fermentation is completed, and the Champagne spends an extended period aging on its lees before disgorgement. A restrained dosage of approximately 3.5 grams per liter maintains balance while allowing the purity of the fruit and terroir to remain at the forefront.

The bouquet opens with vibrant aromas of lemon peel, Asian pear, gooseberry, white flowers, and passion fruit, followed by deeper notes of pastry dough, toasted almond, dried apricot, and chalk. On the palate, the wine is concentrated yet beautifully controlled, with a creamy, finely textured mousse supported by bright acidity and a firm mineral structure. Flavors of citrus, nectarine, pear, ginger, and salted almond develop across the palate, leading to a long, precise, and distinctly saline finish.

Powerful enough to accompany a meal yet refined enough to serve as an aperitif, this is a compelling expression of Le Mesnil-sur-Oger—combining the richness of the 2015 base vintage with the freshness, chalky tension, and impressive length for which the village is renowned.

Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
Classification: Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs
Appellation: Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Côte des Blancs, Champagne
Base Vintage: 2015
Farming: Certified Organic by Ecocert
Soil: Cretaceous chalk
Fermentation: Indigenous yeasts in enamel-lined tanks and neutral oak barrels
Malolactic Fermentation: Yes
Dosage: Approximately 3.5 g/L
Bottle Size: 750ml

Food Pairings: Oysters, lobster, scallops, caviar, grilled white fish, sushi, roast chicken, creamy cheeses, or aged Comté.

Serving Recommendation: Serve well chilled at approximately 46–50°F in a white-wine or tulip-shaped Champagne glass to allow its complexity and mineral depth to develop.

A distinctive, terroir-driven rosé Champagne from Pascal Doquet, one of the Côte des Blancs’ leading organic grower-producers. Anthocyanes is crafted from equal parts Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, all harvested in 2018, combining the mineral precision of the Côte des Blancs with the structure and expressive red-fruit character of Pinot Noir.

The Pinot Noir comes from La Barre, a named vineyard site in Vertus. It is macerated on the skins for approximately 48 hours before pressing, extracting its vivid color and aromatic intensity through the traditional saignée method. The wine is then matured in barrel for up to one year before being blended with Chardonnay from Vertus and bottled for its secondary fermentation.

The name Anthocyanes refers to anthocyanins, the natural pigments found in grape skins that give the Champagne its striking rosé color. Despite its depth of color and character, this is not a heavy or overtly vinous rosé. It retains the freshness, finesse and mineral energy associated with Pascal Doquet’s Champagnes.

Pale to medium salmon-pink in the glass, it opens with aromas of sliced strawberries, red berries, citrus peel and rose petals, followed by delicate notes of honey, spice and chalk. The palate is lively and finely textured, with elegant bubbles, bright acidity and a balanced combination of ripe red fruit, citrus freshness and savory mineral character. The finish is dry, energetic and persistent.

This expressive rosé Champagne is excellent as an aperitif but also has enough structure for the table. Pair it with salmon, tuna tartare, sushi, shellfish, roast poultry, charcuterie, mushroom dishes, creamy cheeses or aged goat cheese.

Grapes: 50% Chardonnay and 50% Pinot Noir
Region: Champagne, France
Village: Vertus
Classification: Premier Cru
Pinot Noir Vineyard: La Barre
Base Vintage: 2018
Farming: Certified organic
Production: Rosé de saignée
Maceration: Approximately 48 hours
Maturation: Pinot Noir aged in barrel for up to one year
Style: Rosé Premier Cru Brut
Bottle Size: 750ml
Alcohol: Approximately 12.5%

Highly Rated

90 Points — The Wine Advocate
90 Points — James Suckling

Pascal Doquet Arpège Blanc de Blancs Brut Nature — Côte des Blancs 2019 Base

Pascal Doquet is one of the leading organic growers of the Côte des Blancs, farming his vineyards in Vertus, Villeneuve, and Mont Aimé with certified organic practices and a deep commitment to terroir transparency. The Arpège is his entry-point Blanc de Blancs — 100% Chardonnay from parcels not selected for his limited-production Coeur de Terroir bottlings — yet it is anything but secondary. The chalk and flinty silex soils of Mont Aimé give the wine its distinctive mineral structure and smoky depth, while a substantial proportion of reserve wine held in enamel tanks adds complexity and consistency. Finished with zero dosage, the Brut Nature designation allows the Chardonnay and its vineyard origins to speak with exceptional clarity. Rated 93 points by James Suckling and 91 by The Wine Advocate.

The bouquet opens with ripe pear, crisp apple, and citrus, followed by spice, black tea, white flowers, and lightly toasted brioche. On the palate, the wine is energetic and finely textured — bright acidity, delicate bubbles, and a pronounced chalky, saline character. Subtle smoky and savory notes add complexity, and the finish is dry, focused, and persistent. An exceptional aperitif with the structure to carry through a full meal.

James Suckling 93 • Wine Advocate 91 • Wine Spectator 90 — "A refined yet expressive Champagne… terroir-driven and precise."

• Producer: Pascal Doquet, Côte des Blancs, Champagne, France
• Base Vintage: 2019 (with reserve wines)
• Appellation: Champagne Premier Cru
• Vineyards: Vertus, Villeneuve & Mont Aimé
• Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
• Style: Blanc de Blancs, Brut Nature
• Dosage: 0 g/L
• Farming: Certified Organic
• Reserve Wine: Held in enamel tanks for freshness and purity
• Alcohol: ~12.5%
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Ripe pear, apple, citrus, spice, black tea, white flowers, brioche, chalky minerality, smoky notes, saline finish
• Best Paired With: Oysters, shellfish, sushi, sashimi, grilled seafood, roast poultry, creamy cheeses, aged goat cheese

93 points from James Suckling. Zero dosage. Certified organic. Pascal Doquet's Arpège is Côte des Blancs Blanc de Blancs at its most honest and mineral-driven.

Pascal Doquet Champs Libres Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut — Côte des Blancs 2018 Base

Pascal Doquet is one of the leading certified organic growers of the Côte des Blancs, and Champs Libres — "Free Fields" — is his most wide-ranging Blanc de Blancs, drawing 100% Chardonnay from six distinct vineyard sources: Vertus, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Villeneuve, Mont Aimé, Bassuet, and Bassu. Where his Arpège focuses on Premier Cru terroir, Champs Libres casts a broader net, assembling a cuvée of genuine complexity and breadth. The 2018 base was fermented in tank with full malolactic fermentation to soften the vintage's naturally high acidity while preserving freshness and mineral definition. Finished at approximately 2–3 g/L dosage, the Extra Brut style keeps the wine focused, dry, and expressive. Rated 92 points by James Suckling and 90 by The Wine Advocate.

The nose is vivid and refined: warm apple, baked pear, and citrus open to white flowers, orange peel, pastry spice, and a subtle touch of nougat. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied and finely textured — delicate bubbles, lively acidity, and a distinctly chalky, saline mineral character. Fresh green apple, citrus, and lightly savory pastry lead into a clean, energetic, and persistent finish. James Suckling calls it "laser-focused… with lively energy and a delicious finish."

James Suckling 92 • Wine Advocate 90 — "A vivid, crisp and laser-focused Blanc de Blancs with aromas of warm apples, baked pears and pastry spices… lively energy and a delicious finish." — James Suckling

• Producer: Pascal Doquet, Côte des Blancs, Champagne, France
• Base Vintage: 2018
• Appellation: Champagne
• Vineyard Sources: Vertus, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Villeneuve, Mont Aimé, Bassuet & Bassu
• Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
• Style: Blanc de Blancs, Extra Brut
• Dosage: ~2–3 g/L
• Fermentation: Tank; full malolactic fermentation
• Farming: Certified Organic
• Alcohol: 12.5%
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Warm apple, baked pear, citrus, white flowers, orange peel, pastry spice, nougat, chalky minerality, saline finish
• Best Paired With: Oysters, shellfish, sushi, grilled fish, roast chicken, soft-ripened cheeses, aged goat cheese

92 points from James Suckling. Six vineyard sources. Certified organic. Pascal Doquet's Champs Libres is Côte des Blancs Blanc de Blancs at its most expressive and accessible.