Champagne Hebrart Rive Gauche Rive Droite Grand Cru Extra Brut 2015
Jean-Paul Hébrart took over the operations of Marc Hébrart Champagne in the Vallée de la Marne from his father Marc in 1997. This estate is not exactly new: Jean-Paul’s father has been producing champagne under the Marc Hébrart name since 1964 and has been a member of the Special Club since 1985. Hébrart farms 14 hectares of vines on 65 different sites in 6 villages: the 1er cru vineyards of Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, Avenay, Val d’Or and Bisseuil and the grand crus villages of Aÿ as well as Chouilly and Oiry in the Côte des Blancs. Each parcel is always vinified separately in glass lined stainless steel and ceramic tanks. He is slowly phasing out the ceramic as it is more difficult to control the temperature. Hébrart is also experimenting barrel fermentation and indigenous yeast fermentation for some of his older vine parcels.
Using these new techniques Jean-Paul has made an alternative Téte de Cuvee (2004 vintage dated) called Rive Gauche-Rive Droite, named for the sites on both sides of the Marne that comprise of the blend. These old vine parcels are fermented and aged in 205 liter four year old barrique (without battonage) before being bottled sur latté. Jean-Paul hand selects grapes, uses a Bucher press, and is experimenting with fermentation in petite cuvee. Hébrart doesn’t block malolactic fermentation and does all remuage by hand.
| Vintage | 2015 |
| Varietal Composition | 50% Chardonnay, 50% Pinot Noir |
| Appellation | Champagne |
| Vineyard | Ay, Avize; Chouilly, Oiry |
| Designation | Grand Cru |
| Alcohol | 12.50% |
| Volume | 750 ml |
| Country of Origin | FRANCE |
| State of Origin | N/A |
| Artificially Carbonated | No |
| Sparkling Wine | Yes |
94 points Sarah Mayo (The Wine Independent): "Golden yellow in color, the Rive Gauche Rive Droit 2015 is a 50% Pinot Noir and Chardonnay that was barrel fermented with indigenous yeast, aged four years and finished with a four gram per liter dosage. Rolling leisurely out of the glass with opulent, toasty brioche aromas interlaced with lemon meringue pie, honey, almond nougat, and apple butter, it leads to a medium to full-bodied palate with suggestions of bruised, ripe stone fruit and a creamy, rounded mid-palate wrapped in a cloak of sizzling acidity. Refreshing throughout, mineral notes dot the lingering finish along with a tiny lemon peel twist. The bottle tasted was disgorged January 2020. Alcohol 12.5%. Drink: 2023-2038. (11/8/23)"
94 points Tyson Stelzer (The Champagne Guide): "(tasted in 2023 in France; 50% pinot noir from Aÿ; 50% chardonnay from old vines in Oiry, Chouilly and Avize; wild fermented; vinified and ages in barrels; unfiltered and unstabilised; 4g/L dosage of MCR; disgorged October 2022). Thanks to his mandate of holding off for true ripeness, Jean-Paul Hébrart achieved perfectly ripe flavours in 2015, creating a generous, succulent and immediate Rive-Gauche Rive-Droite that bursts with ripe berry/cherry fruits of all kinds, balanced with the grapefruit and blood orange of ripe grand cru pinot noir. This is a strong release, holding freshness, persistence and integrity thanks to the chalk mineral backbone of lauded grand crus. Ready to impress from the outset. (Edition VII; 2024)"
93 points Anne Krebiehl, MW (Vinous): "The 2015 Extra Brut Rive Gauche/Rive Droit is half Pinot Meunier, half Chardonnay, half from the Vallée de la Marne, and half from the Côte des Blancs, including parcels in Aÿ, Avize, Chouilly and Oiry, all are massal selections of mature vines with low yields. The wines were fermented spontaneously in oak. Salty, buttery short crust on the nose continues seamlessly on a medium body, imbued equally with mellow apple fruit and salty yeast. This is clean-cut, structured, precise and speaks more of Pinot than Chardonnay, but the latter's brightness shine nonetheless in this tricky vintage. Disgorged: April 21, 2022. Drink: 2023-2030. (Nov 2023)"
93 points Tom Hewson (Decanter): "Spontaneous fermentation in old barrels; 50% Chardonnay from Chouilly, Avize and Oiry and 50% Pinot Noir, mostly from Aÿ. Plenty of precision and focus for 2015, although the ripeness of the year is felt in the concentration of toasty citrus, blue fruits and some baked greengage, richened with honey on toast, cream and gentle spice. Bold, saturated but still offering refreshment. Drinking Window: 2023-2030. (4/28/23)"
93 points Essi Avellan, MW: "(50% Chardonnay, 50% Pinot Noir). This equal blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir is made up of grapes from seven plots in the grands crus of Aÿ, Avize, Chouilly and Oiry. In addition to the noble origins, old vines and spontaneous fermentation in oak are behind the wine's soulful character. The nose is pronounced, and well-integrated oaky tones contribute to the complexity. Nutty richness, ripe peach and red apple. There is beautiful concentration and textured viscosity on the palate. The whole is refreshed by the acidity that follows the wine to its long, fruity and suitably dry finish. (Feb 2023)"
