Champagne Pascal Doquet Blanc de Blancs Horizon Extra Brut NV

Over the last decade, Pascal Doquet has emerged as a rising star and one of Champagne's premier vignerons. The fruit for this cuvee hails from two of his organically farmed vineyards in the extreme south of the Marne region. Natural farming and supreme dedication to vineyard health are driving forces for Pascal – he is infamous for refusing to discuss vinification methodologies as his true passion is in the vineyards. He even went so far as to buy out his family members, so he could exact control of his agricultural vision without appealing to a committee. His eponymous Domaine has been certified organic since 2010.

Pascal’s vineyards make use of extensive cover crops, and all his inter-vine work is done with a special, ultra-light tractor to avoid any unnecessary compacting of the soil. Plant-based treatments are continuously explored as Pascal attempts to minimize his use of copper and sulfur. He is exceptionally focused on vineyard management in order to express the subtleties of his terroir. His yields are managed through pruning and thinning and almost always come in well below the AOC guidelines. As Pascal often says, “it’s the viticulture that makes the difference, not the vinification.”

In this spirit, the harvest is done by hand, strictly sorting in the vineyards and the cellar. The grapes are pneumatically pressed before fermentation with indigenous yeasts. Most of the fermentation occurs in enamel-lined steel tanks, but some neutral oak is used for the vintage cuvées. The vin-clair is left on the lees for a minimum of five months with minimal bâtonage. Thhe dosage is done without liqueur de tirage, using only a moderate addition of concentrated grape must, closer to the grape's natural sweetness. The dosage level is 3.5 g/liter.

This wine bursts with energy, verve, and intensity. The nose abounds with roasted pear and baker’s yeast, and the mouth zings with bright and tart green apples, yuzu, lemon cream, and nutmeg. The finish deepens with mineral-laden intensity and a delicately restrained sweetness.

Despite our best efforts, we could only get a spartan ten cases of this beauty. Get it before it’s gone!

PAIRING IDEAS: This Champagne serves as the perfect aperitif… bonus points if you follow your glass with this Pear and Gorgonzola Tart.

MUSIC SUGGESTIONS: Part 70’s psychedelic rock, part late-stage grunge, Edwyn Collins’ “A Girl Like You” will have you swaying to the groove whilst sipping on this smooth, layered Champagne.