NV Frederic Savart L'Accomplie Premier Cru Brut (Base 2019)
Region: Champagne, France
Grape: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay
Culinary Suggestions: Charcuterie, Caviar, Oysters
Vineyard Practice: Sustainable
About
Frédéric was born into a family of vignerons, but his real dream was to be a professional footballer. He even signed a youth contract with Stade de Reims, playing as an attacking midfielder, but after meeting the woman who was to become his wife, he refused a potential transfer to another club, and decided to return home to work with his father, Daniel.
The family estate was founded by Daniel's father, René Savart, who purchased his first vines in 1947. Daniel himself took over the winemaking in the 1970s, although production remained extremely small until the mid-1980s, when he significantly expanded the family's vineyard holdings. Since 2005, Frédéric has been at the helm of the estate, although Daniel continues to be very much present, cheerfully greeting visitors and happy to share a glass of wine. Today, the Savarts farm four hectares of vines, three in Ecueil and one in the neighboring village of Villiers-aux-Noeuds. Nearly all of it is pinot noir, with just a half-hectare of chardonnay: "Historically, Ecueil is a pinot noir terroir," says Frédéric Savart. His philosophy in the vineyards is to prevent disease as much as possible, rather than treat it—towards this end, he prefers a holistic approach, creating an environment within which the plant is better equipped to resist malady on its own. The soils in this area can vary: many parcels in Ecueil are notably sandy, although there's more clay on the mid-slope, and a few areas that are relatively chalky. The soils of Villiers-aux-Noeuds are generally chalkier than those of Ecueil, and Savart's vineyards here are particularly prized for their sélection massale of the renowned pinot fin d'Ecueil, planted here by Daniel and René.
This is 80% Pinot Noir and 20% Chardonnay from both Ecueil and Villers-aux-Noeuds. The base vintage makes up 70% of the total blend with the other 30% coming from reserve wine of the two previous vintages. The wine is aged in a combination of neutral oak and stainless steel. The dosage is 4 g/L. - Importer Note
Tasting Notes
Based on the 2019 vintage, with reserve wines from 2018, the latest rendition of Savart's NV Extra Brut Premier Cru L'Accomplie opens in the glass with notions of pear, toasted almonds, dried white flowers, clear honey and vanilla pod. Medium to full-bodied, pillowy and precise, with a vibrant core of fruit, chalky structure and a mouthwatering finish, it's showing well.
93 points - William Kelley, Wine Advocate September 2022
Drink: 2022 - 2033