Pierre Baillette Coeur De Craie Verzenay

Tatler Champagne Guide 2024-2025

Grape Makeup:

100% Pinot Noir

Sweetness Level:

Extra Brut

Ageing on Lees:

~48 months

Price:

$$

Cellar:

Up to five years

Category:

Culinary

What

The small Montagne de Reims family estate of Périne Baillette, nearly 50 years old with growing a reputation as a Pinot Noir specialist.

Where

Trois-Puits, Montagne de Reims; around 4ha, in Trois-Puits, Rilly la Montagne and Verzenay, average age 35 years, mainly Pinot Noir except the Chardonnay in Verzenay; organically farmed.

Why

Baillette’s labour-intensive farming, the vineyards are horse-ploughed, no herbicides are used, of this heavily chalky site (part of the vineyard “Les Chauds Champs”—the hot fields) and her artisanal winemaking (natural fermentation takes place in fourth passage 500-litre barrels and there is no filtration) has produced a wine of plushness and body, a little shy on the nose but enveloping on the palate.

What Else

Baillette was once married to Alexandre Chartogne of iconic grower Chartogne-Taillet, who contributed the plot of Chardonnay in Verzenay.

Tasting Notes

There is a waxy, slightly soapy quality on the nose and a subtle corn nut savouriness over quince jelly fruit, though all is quite understated. The palate is richer and nuttier, with a blanket of digestive biscuit. The candied quince remains, with just enough acidity to give it lift from beneath. The acidity emerges from the oval shape on the finish, cleansing the palate.

Try It With

Something creamy and unctuous, possibly a curry with coconut milk

When To Drink

Main course

Perfect For

Your yoga buddy

Tatler Tip

Avoid serving this too warm; it wants a little (repeat, a little) chill to give it a boost of freshness.

TL/DR

Rich, nutty and rounded

Supplier

L'Imperatrice