Today we share the brilliant wines of Champagne Christophe Baron. Pinot Meunier is typically a blending agent in Champagne, as there are few top bottlings that utilize this varietal. We have seen Krug can use roughly 33% Pinot Meunier in their ‘Grand Cuvee’ blend. Billecart-Salmon also makes a delicious 100% Pinot Meunier Champagne. Definitely one of the top Pinot Meunier champagnes that you all find in the world, the magnum only and mailing list-only Champagne Christophe Baron are all zero dosage bottlings that showcase 100% Pinot Meunier. These wines have improved over the years.
Christophe Baron was born into an exceedingly long line of Champagne vignerons, with a history that dates back as far as 1677. He trained in Avize (Champagne) and Beaune before moving to the United States and founding one of North America’s iconic brands, Cayuse Vineyards. Baron’s estate in champagne includes 3 hectares (7.5 acres) surrounding the villages of Charly-sur-Marne, Crouttes-sur-Marne and the hamlet of Porteron, and its vineyard holdings are made up of only very old parcels of Pinot Meunier.
These are dense Champagnes that are generally a bigger style. They are best consumed in a Riedel Riesling or Sauvignon Blanc glass, or a Riedel tasting glass. They also need a lot of time when opened and I recommend letting them sit for least 30 minutes prior to consuming. Finally, make sure to not serve these wines cold. They are best served at 42-45 degrees — or warmer! I personally think these wines really hit their sweet spot when they are quite on the warm side, where you can full evoke the full range of flavors and aromatics.
2020 was slightly cooler than the very warm 2019. 2020 completes the third warm vintage in a row for champagne. I think you are going to love the CCB wines from this vintage which will be released to their mailing list in one year. Here are my reviews of the stunning 2020 champagnes by Champagne Christophe Baron (mailing list only) and learn more at https://champagnechristophebaron.com/
2020 Champagne Christophe Baron ‘Les Hauts Blanches Vignes’ Champagne- A stunning wine, the 2020 Champagne Christophe Baron ‘Les Hauts Blanches Vignes’ was sourced from Pinot Meunier vines that were planted back in 1969. Coming from this steep, southwestern facing location, this is loaded with rich melon and citrus fruits alongside delicate cranberry and salty minerals on the palate. Full-bodied with plenty of tension, this beautiful wine can benefit from another year or two in the bottle. Drink 2026-2039- 96
2020 Champagne Christophe Baron ‘Le Dessus Du Bois Marie’ Champagne- Dawning a beautiful light pink hue, the dense 2020 Champagne Christophe Baron ‘Le Dessus Du Bois Marie’ Champagne is a beautiful wine that is fresh and bold, with a refined mousse and loads of minerality. Fat and round on the mouth, this offers tangerine peel and lemon zest flavors with quince dusted Challah bread, ginger and notes of baking spices. Very fresh, focused and finesse-driven, try to resist this beauty for another year. Drink 2025-2039- 96
2020 Champagne Christophe Baron ‘Les Alouettes’ Champagne- The dense and delicious 2020 Champagne Christophe Baron ‘Les Alouettes’ comes from this site set at nearly 500 feet. This site is southeastern facing and is located in the town of Charly-sur- Marne. Baked apple and pear notes combine with salted cashew nut and shades of Yakima cherry on the nose. The palate is big and dense with great underlying finesse. Salty and chalky mineral-driven, enjoy now and over the next fifteen years. Drink 2024-2039- 96
2020 Champagne Christophe Baron ‘Les Closeaux’ Champagne- This is the third rendition of the ‘Les Closeaux’ which is sourced from a tiny site set at 269 feet elevation, neighboring the town of Crouttes-sur-Marne. A brilliant salmon color with a silky mousse upon entry, this offers ginger and Macadamia nut on the nose alongside red raspberry and shades of toasted brioche. The palate is extremely mineral-laden with less weight than the 2019 edition — but boasting more mouth-watering acidity. This performs quite a bit better at a warmer temperature, using a Riedel Riesling stem. Enjoy this impossible to resist Champagne now and over the next fifteen years to come. Drink 2024-2039- 96