Jean-Noël Haton Reserve Brut NV

Tatler Champagne Guide 2024-2025

Grape Makeup:

35% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir, 30% Meunier

Sweetness Level:

Brut

Ageing on Lees:

36+ months

Price:

$

Cellar:

Up to 5 years

Category:

Celebration

What

Nearing a century of winemaking, from a grower family with four centuries of history in the Vallée de la Marne.

Where

Damery, Vallée de la Marne; 25ha are estate-owned and 15ha managed, spread across Damery, Hautvillers (Premier Cru), Cumières (Premier Cru), Boursault, Fleury-la-Rivière, Vauciennes and Cuchery, mainly Pinot Noir and Meunier for the estate vineyards with Chardonnay sourced from Cramant and Oger in Côte des Blancs and Berru (northern Montagne de Reims) and Bassuet (Vitryat).

Why

Aside from being quite the bargain, this NV blend is a beautifully clean expression, both in flavours (it is stainless steel fermented and matured) and in its production, which is sustainable (HVE).

What Else

The vines here are all quite mature, averaging 45-50 years old.

Tasting Notes

This is delicate but mid-toned, with subtle baked apple and toasted oat biscuit nose, gradually adding rounded, soft tones of beeswax with a hint of sweat. It continues rather full and soft on the palate but with surprisingly fresh acidity that asserts itself on the midpalate, slicing through the oily texture and revealing layers of lime and sorrel. There is a lovely balance between the gentleness of the aromatics, which have a slightly blurry effect, with the tense structure.

Try It With

Mildly spiced dishes like Japanese curry

When To Drink

Apéritif or entrées.

Perfect For

Your aunt who loves a great deal

Tatler Tip

A wonderfully affordable choice for when your heart says champagne but your wallet says no

TL/DR

Oily and soft-edged but with laser-sharp acidity

Supplier

Ponti