Fromentin-Leclapart

Fromentin-Leclapart is a family-run estate in Bouzy. The village is classified Grand Cru and lies on the southern slope of the Montagne de Reims. Today the house is run by Jean-Baptiste Fromentin and his wife Barbara. Sources differ on the founding date: the estate itself speaks of four generations of growers since 1925. The Guide Hachette, by contrast, gives 1954 as the year of foundation by Monsieur Leclapart, whose grandson J.-B. Fromentin now runs the estate. Gault&Millau points to the first traces of a winegrowing tradition in the early 18th century.

Vineyards and grape varieties

The estate farms 5.5 hectares in Bouzy and Ambonnay, of which 4.5 hectares are Pinot Noir and 1 hectare Chardonnay. The house itself gives five hectares. Both villages are rated Grand Cru for Pinot Noir. According to the house, the Pinot Noir brings power and length to the wine, while the Chardonnay stands for elegance and finesse. On its website the estate points to the chalk subsoil of its parcels.

The wines

The house describes its champagnes as artisanal. By its own account, it controls the work in the vineyard, the vinification, the ageing in the cellar and the marketing. The range includes Brut Tradition, Extra-Brut, Rosé, Blanc de Noirs, a vintage champagne, the Cuvée Barbara aged in barrel, the Bouzy Rouge and, in future, a Blanc de Blancs.

• Rosé: A version reviewed by the Guide Hachette blends 70% Pinot Noir with 30% Chardonnay and gets its colour from 12% red Bouzy.
• Bouzy Rouge: This still wine (Coteaux Champenois) is made from Pinot Noir. In one vintage reviewed by the Guide Hachette, 40% of the wines aged in barrel and 60% in tank.

Visits and tastings

The estate is at 1 Rue Paul Doumer in Bouzy. According to the Champagne Committee's directory, visits are by appointment only. A tasting costs from 15 euros per person. Please contact the house in advance by email (contact@champagne-fromentin-leclapart.fr) or by telephone.