Geoffroy - Champagne Premier Cru 'Empreinte Millésimé' Blanc de Noirs 2016

These days, many of the grower-producers are selling all the Champagne they can make. Jean-Baptiste Geoffroy, who has 14 hectares in the Vallée de la Marne, is the fifth generation in his family to grow grapes in the region. While his family has always made a little wine, they began to emphasize Champagne production in the bad years after World War II, when they were unable to sell their grapes to the big houses. In the 1970’s Mr. Geoffroy’s father decided to keep all the grapes and turn them into Champagne. Walking through a hillside vineyard in Cumières overlooking the Marne, Mr. Geoffroy’s parcels were easy to distinguish from the others. The lush green grass growing between his rows of bare vines was evidence of his distaste for chemical pesticides and herbicides. “If you don’t have passion, you won’t make very good Champagne,” he said as he strolled the vineyard, waving at local hunters who also walked the rows, shotguns in hand, searching for rabbits and pheasants.

Today Jean-Baptiste Geoffroy and his father René farm 14 hectares of vines, 11 of which are in Cumières. A few parcels are located just across the border to the west in the adjacent village of Damery, while the rest is all meunier in the nearby village of Fleury-la-Rivière.

"Disgorged in December 2022 with two grams per liter dosage, Geoffroy's 2016 Brut Blanc de Noirs Premier Cru Empreinte bursts with aromas of pear, honeycomb, white flowers, almonds and pastry cream. Medium to full-bodied, ample and fleshy, with racy acids and a chalky, saline finish, this Pinot Noir-dominant blend has turned out nicely in this classically proportioned vintage." - 93 points, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

"Fresh and focused, with a minerally underpinning and a creamy, well-knit mix of Gala apple, slivered almond and toast point flavors, plus hints of cherry blossoms and pink grapefruit pith. Lingering, lacy finish. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Disgorged November 2022. Drink now through 2028. 100 cases imported." - 93 points, Wine Spectator

"The 2016 Brut Blanc de Noirs Empreinte is an attractive, understated Champagne. Kirsch, red plum, mint and white pepper are nicely lifted by bright acids that give the wine energy and persistence. The only thing the 2016 is missing is some mid-palate resonance and depth. Floral and spice notes reappear on the soft, inviting finish. This was vinified and aged entirely in wood. Dosage is 3 grams per liter. Disgorged: April, 2023." - 92 points, Antonio Galloni Vinous

Producer: Geoffroy 

Country: France

Region: Champagne

Varietal: Pinot Noir

Appellation: Champagne Premier Cru

Vintage: 2016

Size: 750ml