Marie Demets Intransigeance Extra Brut NV (750ML)

93 VM

Vinous Sparkling Wine of the Year 2022 - Neal Martin

I instantly fell in love with this when poured in Burgundy. It comes from the Côte des Bars in the south of Aube and just ticks all the boxes without breaking the bank.  - Neal Martin, Vinous Media, December 2022

For the wines, we began with my “Sparkling Wine of 2022”, introduced by a pal in Beaune last October. The 2017 Extra Brut Intransigeance comes from the small family-run Champagne Marie Demets. Pierre Demets is the third generation winemaker who took over the running of the house in 2014, joined by his wife Mathilde three years later. It’s a tiny house in the middle of nowhere, apparently closer to Dijon than Reims. Their Intransigence is a blend of 56% Pinot Noir and 44% Chardonnay from two parcels in the Côte des Bar, “La Forêt” in Gyé-sur-Seine and “Fins” in Neu-ville-sur-Seine, vinified in stainless-steel vat for ten months and then 40 months sur lattes, disgorged in December 2021 with a low dosage of 1g/L. Just 2,772 bottles were made. This has a vivid bouquet with red apples, freshly-baked brioche and nectarine, the Pinot Noir more expressive than the Chardonnay. I appreciated its delineation and joie-de-vivre. The palate has real weight and race, a vibrant Champagne with a fine edgy, citrus-led opening before subtle white peach, lime and Clementine notes furnish the finish. It appeared to gain weight as we worked our way through the bottle. Prices for this are incredibly reasonable in the present inflationary climate for Champagne, so it is highly recommended. May 2023. - Neal Martin, Vinous Media

44% Chardonnay - 56% Pinot Noir

Terroirs : 2 plots « La Forêt » in Gyé-sur-Seine & « Fins » in Neuville-sur-Seine
Plot information : planted in 1988 ; facing south and south-east
Density : 8200 vines per hectar
Soil : « argilo-calcaires » from Kimméridgien and Portlandien (clay and limestone)
Vinification : vinified in stainless tank for 10 months with fine lees
Bottling : 19 July 2018
Ageing : 40 months « sur lattes »
Disgorging : 20 December 2021
Dosage : 1 g/L
Total production : 2772 bottles