From: Côte des Blancs, Champagne, France

Varietal: Chardonnay

Tasting Notes: Because of the substantial amount of reserve wine in the blend, Doquet's 'Arpège' is complex, with a lot of depth. Aromas of spice, black tea, and pear dominate the flinty-silex soils from the Mont Aimé and lend smokiness and depth to the structure. It is beautifully full and dry on the palate.

With holdings of old vines in some of the greatest terroirs in the Côte des Blancs, Pascal Doquet has emerged over the last decade or so as one of the premier vignerons in Champagne. He originally took over his family estate Doquet-Jeanmaire in 1995 and after his father retired, Pascal established his eponymous domaine in 2004. Today he farms just under nine hectares of vines including prime parcels in Le Mésnil sur Oger, Vertus, and Le Mont Aimé. The domaine is certified organic.