André Jacquart Vertus Expérience

• Ripe lemon and the spice of new oak
• A Premier Cru Chardonnay from a winemaker who really knows what it takes to use new oak

The Vertrus Expérience has the mineral freshness of the ultra-pure chalky soils of this terroir. The aromas combine ripe lemon with spicy smoky notes from new oak.

We simply haven't found anything better in this price range, but even at twice the price, the competition shouldn't be able to find it. The grapes come from the best part of Vertus bordering Le Mesnil. To the south of Vertus lie many vineyards that are actually better suited to Pinot Noir. But to the north, we find the same fine chalk as in Le Mesnil. The radiation is perhaps somewhat more intense, which explains the particularly ripe, intense lemon aromas of these plots. Marie Doyard, the owner here, only has to monitor the yields and harvest ripe grapes. After gentle pressing, these are aged in one- to three-year-old oak barrels. The barrels are washed several times to prevent overly intense wood notes. Marie Doyard has a dedicated employee who regularly tastes the approximately 250 barriques, or pièces as they are called here. It all depends on the right moment when the wine is drawn from the barrels and transferred to tanks until bottle fermentation. No two barrels are the same and so this process takes place over a longer period of time.

There are many great winemakers in the Côtes de Blanc. André Jacquart can compete with the best, but Marie Jacquard works quietly and has no contacts with influencers, the sommelier scene, or wine journalists. Let's take advantage of the fact that these insider tips are still affordable.