Champagne AR Lenoble - Extra Brut Classique Intense Mag 19

Based in Damery, the winery places a strong emphasis on Chardonnay from the Chouilly Grand Cru, where it owns 10 hectares. The Pinot Noirs from Bisseuil make their mark either in the “blanc de noirs” cuvée or as a complement to the Chardonnay in the blends, resulting in beautiful wines that continue to develop in elegance and refinement. The brut, named “Intense,” has been reimagined, with the reserve wines now aged in magnums and sealed with corks, lending greater body and complexity. The Frère-Gallienne family (through its holding company, which is notably a shareholder in the Cheval Blanc estate) has become the majority shareholder in the house.

Lenoble is run by Anne and Antoine Malassagne, the great-granddaughter and grandson of the brand’s founder. Production comes from three areas: 10 ha of Chardonnay in Chouilly on the Côte des Blancs, 6 ha in Bisseuil near Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, and 2.5 ha in Damery, renowned for its Pinot Meunier and home to the house. The supply is supplemented by purchased grapes. The style is full-bodied and vinous, with an elegant and refreshing finish. A new winemaking process is used for cuvées labeled “mag”: a portion of the reserve wines is stored in magnums sealed with cork, then uncorked and blended with the cuvées, adding freshness and complexity to the wine.

This family-owned estate, founded in Damery in 1920, is embarking on a new chapter with the sale of a majority stake to the Frère-Gallienne family through the holding company FG Bros. This holding company, a shareholder in Château Cheval Blanc among others, is strengthening its presence in the wine world. The profile and style of the house’s champagnes remain unchanged. Antoine Malassagne crafts distinguished wines that possess depth and a long, elegant finish. The management of oak aging has evolved significantly in recent years, and the wines have gained in finesse. The designation “MAG” followed by a number, which now appears on some bottles, indicates the base year of the cuvée, to which reserve wines—stored in corked magnums—are added. We wish this fine Champagne house all the best.