The Somms Suggestions - Sunday Auction November 3rd

Micro production, mega reputation

My personal recommendation of the week goes to one of the most inspiring vignerons in Champagne! He not only makes magnetic wines, he has also been making quantum leaps with his Roses de Jeanne project for many other young growers.

Ladies and gents, whom else than Cédric Bouchard.

Being located in “outskirts” of the region, he has demonstrated what can be achieved — both in terms of quality and reputation — despite the terroir being as unknown as Polisy/Celles-sur-Ource (Aube).

He has truly proven how to take advantage of nothing and grow from craftmanship. Put in his own words:

- pictures are borrowed from VineTrail

Crafting like a Burgundian

In other words, it’s not Grand Cru appellations that have brought Bouchard's wines into the spotlight of the wine world.

With extensive experience as a Sommelier in Paris and strong inspiration from other wine regions, especially Burgundy, Cédric’s approach is, in many ways, more Burgundian than "Champenois."

This approach includes a focus on “single grape, single vineyard, single vintage” winemaking, primarily centered on Pinot Noir. However, he also produces a 100% Chardonnay and a 100% Pinot Blanc cuvée. All wines with an uncompromising commitment to achieve the highest possible quality, allowing the magic of the terroir to really shine through.

Cédric’s approach in the vineyards is highly meticulous and organic. For nearly a decade, the vineyards have not been sprayed with any chemicals. Alongside this, yields are drastically reduced to an average of around 25 hectoliters per hectare, which is by far among the lowest in Champagne.

Rare selection listed this week

Broadly speaking, the common traits of the Champagnes from Roses de Jeanne includes adding zero dosage, which contributes to their pure, vinous quality and tremendous intensity of flavor, all elegantly wrapped in a soft, almost seductive mousse as Cédric works with remarkably low pressure in the secondary fermentation (4.25 bar, to be precise), which gives more smoothness to the bubbles and in a way reinforces the more Burgundian expression — especially if you decant the wine, a practice Cédric himself enjoys.

View the selection here

Know the Cuvées

There’s a wealth of things to explore about Cédric’s seven different cuvées — which sure is worth diving into, in order to pick the right bottle for your taste.

Here are a few of the most well known cuvées:

LES URSULES

Made from 100% Pinot Noir, this is Cédric’s very first and arguably most iconic cuvée. It comes from a small, north-facing plot with limestone-clay soil, which he inherited from his father. This parcel, located right next to his parents' house, marked the beginning of the domaine and, according to Cédric, has always produced the most feminine and harmonious champagne in his range.

VAL VILAINE

Also known simply as “VV,” this 100% Pinot Noir is sourced from a small, 1.45-hectare parcel with vines aged 30 to 40 years. Known for delivering an impressively full-bodied champagne, Val Vilaine has gained a reputation for its richness and depth.
Find some of these rare bottles here

LA BOLORÉE

Made from 100% Pinot Blanc, this cuvée comes from a microscopic parcel planted in 1960, situated on a sandy layer of clay over limestone and chalk. It's a super racy, energy-packed champagne that showcases a highly intriguing expression of Pinot Blanc, often displaying herbal and almost peppery notes. Wow, wow, wow!
Don't miss your chance to taste this

LA HAUTE LEMBLÉ

This is the only cuvée Cédric makes from 100% Chardonnay. It is a micro-production from a parcel of just 0.11 ha. In other words, this wine is practically nonexistent, making it both cult and precious. However, a lucky buyer may have the opportunity to acquire it right now!
Find it here