Geoffroy : Empreinte Premier Cru Brut Blanc de Noirs 2018

Tasting characteristics and advice for the Empreinte Premier Cru Brut Blanc de Noirs 2018 from Geoffroy

Tasting

Appearance

The wine shows a brilliant golden hue, enlivened by a fine, persistent effervescence.

Nose

The nose reveals fine aromatic complexity, with notes of vibrant red fruits such as strawberry and redcurrant, alongside nuances of apple, delicate honey, and toasted bread. Hints of dried fruits and baked apple complete this expressive bouquet.

Palate

On the palate, the attack is lively and energetic, carried by remarkable natural acidity. The Pinot Noir’s tannic structure comes through with firmness and generosity, without harshness. Exceptionally fine bubbles create a creamy texture that coats the palate. A very pronounced mineral profile gives an impression of crystalline purity, with saline notes that linger long on the finish.

Food and wine pairings

This champagne pairs perfectly with delicate poultry such as roast free-range chicken with mushrooms or quail with grapes. It also matches finely prepared white meats, especially veal with creamy sauces. Dishes featuring black or white truffles make for an exceptional pairing, as does foie gras, which finds a harmonious contrast with the champagne’s vibrant freshness.

Serving and cellaring

Empreinte Premier Cru Brut Blanc de Noirs 2018 is best served between 11 and 12°C to allow the Pinot Noir’s complex aromatic profile to fully express itself. Its natural concentration, preserved acidity, and tannic structure suggest aging potential of at least 10 to 15 years under good cellaring conditions.

A Blanc de Noirs from Cumières Premier Cru with exceptional mineral purity

The estate

Champagne Geoffroy represents a family lineage dating back to the 17th century in the village of Cumières, in the Vallée de la Marne. The brand was created in the early 1950s by Roger Geoffroy and his wife Julienne, marking the birth of their status as récoltant-manipulant. In the late 1970s, the family stopped selling its grapes to the great houses in order to devote the entirety of its production to champagne under its own name. Today, Jean-Baptiste Geoffroy, representing the fifth generation, runs the estate alongside his wife Karine from the facilities in Aÿ. The estate spans 14 hectares of vines, including 11 in Cumières Premier Cru, and practices sustainable viticulture with integrated pest management, without herbicides or chemical weedkillers.

The vineyard

Empreinte 2018 comes exclusively from three historic parcels located in Cumières Premier Cru: Les Chalmonts, Les Barremonts, and Les Pêchers. These parcels sit at an altitude of 160 meters halfway up the slopes, with a due south exposure and a 19% incline. The vines, more than 40 years old, grow on clay-limestone soils enriched with flint fragments. This distinctive geological composition gives the wines a characteristic mineral tension and signature saline notes. The south-east exposure encourages early ripening of the grapes while maintaining essential levels of natural acidity.

The vintage

The year 2018 proved exceptional in Champagne. After a wet winter and an early spring, the summer of 2018 stood out as the second-hottest ever recorded in the region. This exceptional warmth promoted outstanding ripening of Pinot Noir, a variety that rarely reaches full phenolic maturity in Champagne’s climate. Natural sugar levels were unusually high, while total acidity remained perfectly balanced. The grapes showed superior intrinsic quality, combining tannic density with exceptional aromatic depth. Timely rains at the end of August enabled optimal maturation, revealing berries of remarkable generosity and balance.

Winemaking and aging

The grapes for Empreinte Premier Cru Brut Blanc de Noirs 2018 are harvested by hand at optimal ripeness, then sorted on a selection table. Pressing is carried out using traditional methods. Vinification takes place in stainless steel tanks and neutral oak foudres, using indigenous yeasts. No malolactic fermentation is carried out, preserving the integrity of the natural malic acidity. The champagne benefits from extended aging for 72 months on the lees, during which its distinctive toasty and brioche-like characters develop. Each bottle bears the exact disgorgement date on the back, ensuring full transparency.

Grape variety

100% Pinot Noir