A client favorite and one of the most revered small growers in the Aube, Dominique Moreau, named her estate after her grandmother, Marie Courtin, whom she describes as a woman of the earth. Dominique fashions exceptional wines from this 'last frontier' of Champagne, where she continues to capture unique expressions in her limited, finely tuned lineup. Wholly committed to bio-dynamic farming principles, she is among the region's elite, rivaling the wines of Cedric Bouchard, Vouette Sorbee, and the like. Her production is small by Champagne standards, with under 50,000 bottles produced annually, which makes the wines challenging to find at times but so very worth the hunt. Her wines' transparency and vineyard character are pretty special, and we have the Presence today, which is fantastic in 2020.
A blend of 70% Chardonnay planted on Portlandian soil, and 30% Pinot Blanc planted on Kimmeridian soils from massale selection vines. The Aube is one of the last places you see Pinot Blanc still being used, and Dominique does an excellent job using it in a supporting role. These vines are entering peak production as they reach their mid-20s, producing some superb fruit, as the last few vintages prove. Presence is aged in tank, with a three-year elevage sur lie, and bottled unfined and unfiltered, with zero dosage and zero sulfur added. A Champagne of commanding 'presence', this was the first Blanc de Blancs made here and is an ultra-pure, expressive bottle that captures Marie Courtin's style flawlessly.
Antonio Galloni 94 pts! The 2020 Extra Brut Présence Sans Soufre is an unusual blend of Pinot Blanc and Chardonnay, a combination that works so well. Bright, floral aromatics and chalky undertones shape this attractive, lithe offering from proprietor Dominique Moreau. Light tropical overtones lend an exotic flair on the finish. Superb. No dosage. Disgorged: April 2024. (Drink between 2024 - 2030)
2020 Marie-Courtin Champagne Presence
2020 Marie-Courtin Champagne Presence
A client favorite and one of the most revered small growers in the Aube, Dominique Moreau, named her estate after her grandmother, Marie Courtin, whom she describes as a woman of the earth. Dominique fashions exceptional wines from this 'last frontier' of Champagne, where she continues to capture unique expressions in her limited, finely tuned lineup. Wholly committed to bio-dynamic farming principles, she is among the region's elite, rivaling the wines of Cedric Bouchard, Vouette Sorbee, and the like. Her production is small by Champagne standards, with under 50,000 bottles produced annually, which makes the wines challenging to find at times but so very worth the hunt. Her wines' transparency and vineyard character are pretty special, and we have the Presence today, which is fantastic in 2020.
A blend of 70% Chardonnay planted on Portlandian soil, and 30% Pinot Blanc planted on Kimmeridian soils from massale selection vines. The Aube is one of the last places you see Pinot Blanc still being used, and Dominique does an excellent job using it in a supporting role. These vines are entering peak production as they reach their mid-20s, producing some superb fruit, as the last few vintages prove. Presence is aged in tank, with a three-year elevage sur lie, and bottled unfined and unfiltered, with zero dosage and zero sulfur added. A Champagne of commanding 'presence', this was the first Blanc de Blancs made here and is an ultra-pure, expressive bottle that captures Marie Courtin's style flawlessly.
Antonio Galloni 94 pts! The 2020 Extra Brut Présence Sans Soufre is an unusual blend of Pinot Blanc and Chardonnay, a combination that works so well. Bright, floral aromatics and chalky undertones shape this attractive, lithe offering from proprietor Dominique Moreau. Light tropical overtones lend an exotic flair on the finish. Superb. No dosage. Disgorged: April 2024. (Drink between 2024 - 2030)
