André Jacquart – Chardonnay Champagne in New Oak at Alfavin
André Jacquart represents Chardonnay Champagne from Le Mesnil and Vertus, combining fresh minerality, enticing fruit, and complex oak spice in harmonious elegance. Sometimes the wines evoke Puligny-Montrachet with their fine perlage.
André Jacquart – From the Roots to a Top Estate
With 24 hectares, André Jacquart is among the larger grower estates in Champagne. The estate was founded in 1910 but initially only sold grapes. It wasn’t until 1958 that the house began bottling Champagne under the family label, named after the grandfather of the current manager. Marie was only 25 when she took over the estate, which was producing average-quality wines. She aimed to create modern grower Champagnes, taking inspiration from Anselme Selosse of Jacques Selosse.
Dosage and yields were radically reduced. Marie purchased oak barrels from Burgundy and built a new winery. Despite the successes—today, André Jacquart Champagnes are among the finest Chardonnay Champagnes—the estate remains relatively unknown, while other producers like Pierre Peters or Larmandier-Bernier gained fame.
Marie Doyard does not seek publicity but focuses on the work and is not integrated into the sommelier scene that often propels Champagne startups to quick recognition, making the house known only to a few connoisseurs. These Champagnes are well worth discovering.
Cellar Techniques at André Jacquart
André Jacquart ages the wines in the Burgundian style, as it is referred to in Champagne. This means partially new oak barrels, a technique introduced by Anselme Selosse. Jacquart carefully washes the barrels to avoid excessive oak flavors. Marie sources the barrels from Puligny-Montrachet and Meursault, where they have already been used for one or two vintages.
Marie Doyard avoids malolactic fermentation, which would produce a richer, buttery style, instead aiming for a racy acidity and more complex aromas.
The lees aging is long, creating complex aromas and a creamy palate with fine perlage. Vintage wines may age for over eight years, the Mensil Expérience for four to five years, and the Vertus for a shorter period of two years.
The André Jacquart Style
The fruit of these Champagnes often combines lemon and cherry. Subtle toasty oak notes also appear, sometimes as exotic spices like cinnamon. Peach and ripe apple are additional typical flavor notes. On the mid-palate, a discreet walnut spice often complements the fruit. Minimal dosage, vibrant acidity, and the intensely mineral terroirs give a strong impression of freshness and elegance. Nevertheless, these Blanc de Blancs Champagnes, due to their low yields, have a dense palate and a creamy texture from the gentle perlage. They can be enjoyed young for their harmony and complex aromatics, but they continue to develop elegance and refinement with bottle aging. For example, the 2012 Vintage is currently perfect and will remain a pleasure for many years to come.
Conclusion
We hope to soon convince more Champagne enthusiasts to discover André Jacquart Champagnes. For those looking to buy Chardonnay Blanc de Blancs Champagnes, these affordable Mesnil and Vertus offerings from Jacquart are a top pick.
