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
< Show Less
