Champagne Charles Ernest
A magical land, between forest and stone houses.
This plot is Petite Marrère, a sloping terrain (+35% difference in altitude) which is home to vines over 35 years old. A vine exposed to the sun from morning to evening and soil identical to the great terroirs of nearby Chablis. It doesn't take much more to make an exceptional champagne.
You may have the impression that we are presenting a vintage to you and not its winemaker, well that's normal. Because behind Charles Ernest champagne hides Emmanuel Rigollot, winemaker of the eponymous House. So why this second brand of Champagne?
Charles Ernest and Emmanuel Rigollot, two brands for the same winemaker.
With its 6.80 hectares of vines, Maison Rigollot has numerous plots which are all terroirs with which our winemaker can play to create a wine that resembles him. But whatever the House or the vineyard, each winegrower has his favorite plot, a piece of land that is particularly close to his heart and where the work in the vines does not have quite the same flavor as everywhere else. For Emmanuel Rigollot, this plot is Petite Marrère.
And yet, with its 35% slope, well beyond the steepest streets of San Francisco, this plot would be enough to discourage the most seasoned winegrowers. But if man balks at the task faced with such an inclination, this hillside is favorable ground for the development of vines. Add to that sun all day long and a subsoil identical to the great Chablis terroirs, nothing less was needed to obtain grapes of exceptional quality.
With such a heritage, it is difficult to resist the temptation to make a local champagne: one year and one plot. And naturally, like any exceptional vintage, this champagne will only be made in great years. La Petite Marrère was born, a 100% Pinot Noir dosed in Extra-Brut.
For this exceptional champagne, Emmanuel has chosen to differentiate it from the rest of the house's champagnes and to create a new brand. For this, what could be more obvious than giving it the name of his two grandfathers, both winegrowers and owners of the plot in question.