Domaine Collet - Empreinte de Terroir Chardonnay Brut

In the heart of the Sézanne coast, brothers Vincent, Thomas, and Florent Collet have, since the beginning of this century, breathed new life into the family estate, which comprises 15 plots located around Fontaine-Denis. The wines are well-crafted, and the Anthime line—which is aged in oak—stands out from the rest.

This brut owes everything to Chardonnay, a grape variety widely grown in the Sézanne region. Its subtle, slightly mature nose, with notes of citrus and minerality, and its smooth, fresh palate—with good length and perfectly balanced sweetness—where citrus notes blend with white fruit, leave a lasting impression of a well-structured Champagne.

In the early 20th century, the Collet family sold their grapes to wine merchants. René Collet, a member of a wine cooperative, launched his own champagne in 1973. His three sons—Thomas, Vincent, and Florent—took over the business between 2001 and 2011 and decided to produce their own cuvées. They own 5 hectares of vineyards in the Sézannais region.

This 100% Chardonnay has a pale lemon color and offers a floral, fruity, and mineral-driven nose. The mousse is smooth with fine bubbles. On the palate, it exhibits a certain maturity without being overripe, with well-integrated oak, notes of nuts and mango, minerality, and salinity. This champagne will pair well with a rich appetizer or as an aperitif.

Domaine Collet has a wonderful history: coming from a modest family of winegrowers and farmers in Fontaine-Denis, René Collet simply decided to launch his own brand in 1973. With the help of a large cooperative, he developed the estate by acquiring and planting Chardonnay and Pinot Noir vines, ideally situated in the Fontaine-Denis region. The early 2000s brought changes: two of Mr. Collet’s three sons joined the company, and a new winemaking facility and barrel cellar were built.

This beautiful Chardonnay from the Sézanne region tastes absolutely wonderful, showing a sense of maturity. The Collet brothers are now reaping the rewards of years of soil management, plot selection, and meticulous work in winemaking and aging (17% in barrels and 17% in oak casks). It is a well-rounded Champagne with lovely, ripe, and full-bodied Chardonnay fruit, supported by a dense, clean, and lively structure. Beautiful presentation, excellent value for the price. A textbook example.