"Fred Savart's Champagnes from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grown in the villages of Écueil and Villers-aux-Noeuds have rapidly become some of the most sought after — and, thanks to their production, hard to find — wines in the region. Savart abandoned a fledgling career as a professional footballer to return to this four-hectare Domaine in 2005, and the vines are now farmed without pesticides, herbicides, or synthetic fertilizers. His vins clairs ferment in tanks, barrels, and demi-muids, spending some ten months sur lie, with or without malolactic fermentation, before triage under natural cork with neither filtration, fining, nor sulfites. Dosage is minimal. These are delicate, incisive, and quietly intense: contemplative Champagnes that reward attention, though they're dangerously drinkable, too. While it's hardly necessary to fan the flames of already insatiable worldwide demand, all these releases come warmly recommended." William Kelley, Wine Advocate |