Decanter: 95 Punkte
"A new and exciting grower Champagne on the place from Alexandre Bonnet based in Les Riceys in the Côte de Bar. This is made from a single-vineyard, south-facing plot called La Forêt, using a mass selection of Pinot Noir from vines planted in 1973. Gorgeous light pink colour to the rim, more like a white wine really. Spiced black pepper and strawberries on the nose, smells great. Enticing. clean and crisp, such gorgeous flavours of red berries, soft spices, vanilla and oak. I like the subtle sweetness despite no residual sugar, it has a vertical depth that comes in layers with red cherry, raspberry and cranberry fruit - crisp and so pure. Refreshing and excellently made. intense, focussed and totally moreish. Ageing 39 months on lees, disgorging without dosage or sulphur. 1,312 bottles, 50 magnums and 20 jeroboams produced. In addition to ecological viticulture practises, the bottle has a water-saving cotton label and uses recycled silk paper. 3.04pH." - Georgina Hindle (02/2025)
The Drinks Business: 95 Punkte
"(Champagne; 100% Pinot Noir from 4 hectares in the Côte de Bar; zéro dosage; pH 3.04; 13.4% alcohol; just 1312 bottles, 50 magnums and 20 jereboams). A new cuvée exclusively for la place and a fascinating addition to la place’s line-up of top Champagnes. Incredibly vinous and a real vin de terroir, this comes from a tiny plot in the steep upper reaches (around 250 metres) of the prestigious Les Riceys in the Côte de Bar on the extreme southern limit of the Champagne region. It is intensely structured by the Kimmeridgian limestone terroir that gives this wine its identity. This is very fine indeed. Yeast. Brioche. Wild strawberries. Redcurrant. Hay. Angelique. Confit fruits. Frangipane. Almond brittle. Nougat. In the mouth, this is hyper-chiselled – as if carved from the limestone below. Fresh and strict but in a wonderful way, bringing lots of tension and energy to the mid-palate. A really vinous champagne from a great terroir with so much fresh berry fruit on the finish. There’s no need to defer gratification here (and little incentive to do so when one considers the likely price)!" - Colin Hay (03/2025)
Jane Anson: 94 Punkte
"Single-vineyard grower champagne from the Côte des Bar in the Southern part of the region. Pale, peachy pink. Intensely aromatic with pear, berries, toasted brioche, and candied nuts. Racy and rich, with a pleasant minerality. Disgorging without dosage and no added sulphur. It’s made from a mass selection of Pinot Noir from the estate, planted more than 50 years ago on the Lieu-Dit ‘La Forêt’ with sunny exposure and a steep slope. A limited production cuvée of 1,312 bottles, 50 magnums and 20 jeroboams. New on the Place de Bordeaux this year." - Suzanne Desbois (02/2025)
