rating B+

standout small family producer with old vines

about the Geoffroy family has been growing grapes for since the 17th century and in 1970 René Geoffroy made the decision to make wine instead of selling his grapes to the big producers. His son Jean-Baptiste is now in charge, committed to sustainable farming and avoiding the use of chemicals. The family owns 14ha of land, the oldest vines dating back to 1926.

wines tasted

"Expression" Brut Premier Cru NV ($63)

35% Meunier, 35% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay from the Premier Cru villages of Cumières and Hautvillers. 50% of "Expression" is made from a perpetual reserve, a type of solera system where wine is removed each year for bottling and then replaced with new wine from the recent harvest. The reserve was started with the winery in 1970, so within the system are wines from every year since the Beatles split. There is no malolactic fermentation; two years on the lees; 4g/l dosage; this is a crisp, lean, elegant champagne.

Rosé de Saignée Premier Cru Brut NV ($78)

100% Pinot Noir. An unusual style: macerated for three days in open tank, resulting in a very pink wine. Base wines are fermented and aged in enamelled tanks. Three and a half years lees ageing, 4g/l dosage. Fruity and fun, even if it’s different from what one would expect from rosé champagne.

“Lieu Dit Les Tiersaudes” Blanc de Noirs Premier Cru Brut Nature 2018 ($145)

100% Meunier. From a single site in the Premier Cru village of Cumières, first planted in 1972 using sélection massale. No malolactic fermentation, no dosage. Three years on the lees. A powerful, irresistible expression of Meunier.

website https://www.champagne-geoffroy.com/en/accueil-champagne-geoffroy/

email info@champagne-geoffroy.com

phone +33 3 26 55 32 31

address 4 rue Jeanson, Aÿ