Daniel Leclerc

Polisot lies south of Bar-sur-Seine in the Aube département, right in the middle of the Côte des Bar. Daniel Leclerc planted his first vineyard here in 1975. In 1990 he began making his own champagne, then from 2 hectares. The estate is based at the Ferme de Maison Rouge, surrounded by its own vines.

Three generations on the farm

Daniel Leclerc's children Alexandre and Raphaëlle joined in 1999 and took over the estate in 2011. With Gabin, Alexandre's son, the third generation is now working at the domaine. The size of the estate is given differently depending on the source: the house's own website says just under 7.5 hectares, the Guide Hachette 8.5 hectares. Pinot Noir is the main grape of the Côte des Bar and also shapes the range here.

The cuvées

The house makes its champagne in five lines, from Brut to Rosé. The range at a glance:

• Brut Tradition: a blanc de noirs
• Cuvée Réserve: pure Pinot Noir
• Cuvée Gabin: a blanc de blancs
• Rosé and Rosé Saignée

The champagnes age for more than 15 months in the cellar before they are released. Gault&Millau scored the Rosé 88 and the Tradition 87 out of 100.

Visiting and tasting

According to the Guide Hachette, tastings and cellar-door sales are possible, and there is also a gîte. Visits are possible by appointment on any day of the week. The address: Ferme de Maison Rouge, 10110 Polisot, telephone +33 3 25 38 51 12.