Champagne Jacques Robin Origine Brut Nature NV

It all started back in 1973, when Anne and Jacques Robin, only 18 and 23 years old respectively, planted their first plot in Sorbée. The parcel would mark the beginning of their foray into the realm of Grower Champagne. Keeping their day jobs, they slowly built the brick-and-mortar winery of their dreams. Other parcels of vines would soon follow, with 22 plots in total now scattered across the limestone and clay hillsides in the valleys of Aube, Arce, Ource, and Seine. In the ‘90s, their children, Sébastien and Aude, took the helm with degrees that formalized their life’s passion. Now, with the inclusion of the third generation, Séverine, the Robin family is thriving in the Côte des Bar, in the tiny village of Buxières-sur-Arce where the family has lived for more than 300 years.

We sincerely admire an estate that knows its values and sticks to them. While the wines and vineyards are not certified organic, the Robin family has long held to these practices, as well as many other sustainability efforts throughout their small operation. They recapture water used throughout various stages of the grape growing and winemaking processes, and then treat, clean, and reuse this water again. Vineyards are tended predominantly by hand to minimize the ecological impact, and also to better understand the needs of each vine.

For this 100% Pinot Noir, the fruit was fermented at cool temperature and given no dosage (called “Brut Nature”) in an effort to retain the fresh and delicate aromas that make for a simultaneously bright and rich Pinot Noir. The initial aromas showcase red apples and Bartlett pears, with a background element of paraffin wax. Nectarines and peaches come forward on the palate, with high tones of dried flowers, cranberries, white cherries, and Eureka lemons. There is a lightly oxidative, sherry-esque note that gives a tart elegance to the rich and creamy finish – which in itself reveals playful spice and herb notes of pink peppercorns and chervil. Overall, delightfully rich and complex, with loads of layered character! Phenomenal stuff that is zippy, yet layered and deeply complex, too. Just the sort of bubbles I like to pop on the regular and would guess you will, too!