2020 Champagne Christophe Baron Champagne Le Dessus du Bois Marie Crouttes-sur-Marne
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Tasting notes
As ever, sourced from an old-vine, south-facing parcel where a mere 25 to 30 centimeters of clay-rich topsoil cover the underlying limestone, Christophe Baron's 2020 Brut Nature Le Dessus du Bois Marie, disgorged in April 2024 without dosage, unfurls in the glass with a beguiling bouquet of early-blooming white blossoms, peach and nashi pear with a hint of nutmeg. On the palate, it is medium- to full-bodied, vinous and tensile, featuring a concentrated core of fruit buttressed by racy acidity and animated by a pillowy mousse. Precise and persistent, this is a harmonious wine that culminates in a long, saline finish.
Critic scores
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Jeb Dunnuck
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
All of the wines from Christophe Baron are entirely made from a single vineyard site of Pinot Meunier in the Marne Valley. The 2020 Champagne Le Dessus Du Bois Marie Brut Nature pours a straw/salmon color and offers floral and mineral-inflected notes of flinty crushed stones, white peach, almond, and pastry dough. The palate is elegant and light on its feet, with a refined, pillowy mousse, and while it sees no dosage, it retains an approachable feel, with a soft mineral texture. It also retains fantastic freshness and buoyancy and is going to offer some real aging potential over the coming 10-12 years. 1615 magnums were produced. Disgorged April 2024.
The 2020 Brut Nature Le Dessus Du Bois Marie shows a bit more vibrancy than the Closeaux, Baron's other Champagne from Charly-sur-Marne. Clean, bracing notes give this 100% Meunier Champagne notable cut. Beautifully persistent and impeccable in its balance, the Dessus Du Bois Marie is another terrific offering from Christophe Baron. Zero dosage. Disgorged: May 2024.