Bright Bio Bubbles from Pascal Doquet

7/22/21 -

Although the estate is quite young in terms of Champagne houses, Pascal Doquet produces wines we consider modern classics. In the few years the wines have been available under his own name, we’ve been bowled over by their beauty and terroir expression. Based in Vertus, Pascal has worked the family’s Doquet-Jeanmaire estate as chef de cave since 1995 and in 2004 acquired full ownership of the family holdings freeing him to implement heathier cultivation for the benefit of the land. Following conversion to organics in 2007 (and certification in 2010), the wines have only gained in purity and harmony thanks to increasingly conscientious farming. In addtion to his activities in the vines and cellar Pascal is president of the Bulles Bio growers organization and an accomplished musician (to watch him play guitar onstage with a pick-up band of Champenois growers is a joy!).

Doquet’s Domaine is between eight and nine hectares, located in Vertus, Le Mesnil, and Mont Aimé. Planted to 95% Chardonnay, these are clear expressions of Côte des Blancs Champagne. Grapes are hand harvested, the grapes are pressed pneumatically and only the cuvée is used, with the taille sold off. Fermentation is with indigenous yeasts to better express the individual terroirs and the wines are aged in a combination of tank and neutral wood. The majority of the cuvées spend significant time on on the lees, resulting in layered, earthy, mature wines on release.