Chartogne-Taillet
Chartogne-Taillet is one of the most compelling stories in modern Champagne because it bridges deep farming tradition with a new generation’s obsession over terroir. In the quiet village of Merfy, just northwest of Reims, Alexandre Chartogne took over his family estate and transformed it into one of Champagne’s most respected grower-producers—not through marketing, but through an almost Burgundian focus on vineyard identity.
The domaine farms old vines planted across the sandy, clay, and chalk soils of Saint-Thierry, where each parcel is treated individually to express its own character. Inspired in part by his mentorship under Anselme Selosse, Alexandre embraced organic farming, low dosage, and barrel aging, pushing beyond the conventional “house style” model of Champagne and instead highlighting the nuance of place.
“Cuvée Sainte-Anne” represents the soul of the estate—a blend drawn from multiple parcels and varieties that captures the energy of Merfy itself. Fermented in oak and bottled with minimal dosage, the wine balances richness and precision, offering layers of citrus, orchard fruit, chalk, and spice with striking tension and purity. It is grower Champagne at its most transparent: thoughtful farming, minimal intervention, and an unwavering commitment to terroir.