Champagne Alexandre Lamblot

Janvry, Montagne De Reims

In contrast to the big houses of champagnes (the grande marques), you’ll find a dynamic, natural-leaning group of individuals & families producing tiny quantities of terroir-focused, multi-faceted Champagne. Alexandre Lamblot branched off from his family’s label (though he still helps) to create Champagne A. Lamblot, with its first bottling in 2019.

He currently manages a 3.5ha spread over multiple parcels in the communes of Janvry, Vrigny, Gueux, and Chenay in the Montagne de Reims. Growing mostly Pinot Meunier (65%), Alexandre quickly converted his inherited and leased vineyards to certified organic practices. Biodiversity in the vineyard is of utmost importance to Alexandre where the growth of natural grass and flowers between rows is encouraged, a horse helps to plow, and chickens roam free to feed and fertilize the soil. Agroforestry, which encourages the growth of many different species of trees per hectare, is employed to complete the natural ecosystem. Biodynamic preparations and essential oils are preferred to treat struggling vines in their growth cycle.

The cellar is a building from 1921 that was renovated to house a gravity-fed cellar by the work by local craftsmen. A traditional oak press is used during harvest where then indigenous yeasts are incorporated for ferments. Oak barrels (228-600L) are used for maturation prior to the secondary ferment, riddling/disgorgement is by hand and low/zero dosage is preferred. Cuvée offerings include single parcel bottlings and the “Intuition”, a Meunier-based blend that reflects Alexandre’s philosophy of grape growing and winemaking. Currently with miniscule production (less than 10K bottles), his wines are hard to come by but worth the search as these wines carry an amazing balance of power and intensity with complexity and finesse. Champagne A. Lamblot is a relatively newcomer in the space of grower Champagne but is quickly rising among the top growers.