Forget-Chemin 'Carte Blanche' Extra Brut, Champagne, France NV
Pickup available at DECANT Napa - 2999 Solano, Napa, CA
Usually ready in 1 hour
For four generations, the Forget family has cultivated vines and produced Champagne in the picturesque Premier Cru village of Ludes-le-Coquet in the Montagne de Reims. Thierry Forget, who graduated from the Faculty of Oenology in Reims in 1988, leads this grower-producer estate with meticulous attention to sustainable viticulture. As a récoltant-manipulant, Thierry oversees every stage from vineyard to bottle, ensuring complete control over quality. The estate's commitment to environmental stewardship earned it Level 3 HVE certification (Haute Valeur Environnementale)—the highest level possible for sustainable viticulture in France—and Thierry continues to convert more vineyard parcels to organic farming each year.
- WINEMAKER: Thierry Forget
- FARMING: HVE Level 3 Certified (High Environmental Value), with ongoing conversion to organic viticulture
- VARIETY: 33% Pinot Noir, 33% Pinot Meunier, 33% Chardonnay
- TERROIR: The estate spans 13-14 hectares across 11 villages in the Montagne de Reims and surrounding areas, including Ludes-le-Coquet (Premier Cru), Mailly-Champagne, Verzenay, Chigny-les-Roses, Taissy, and others. The Montagne de Reims is one of Champagne's most hallowed terroirs, with hillsides encircling Reims to the south and west, containing nine Grand Cru villages. The chalky limestone soils and cool climate of this appellation provide ideal conditions for producing structured, age-worthy Champagnes with precise mineral character.
- VINIFICATION: Primary fermentation and élevage conducted in stainless steel tanks. The wine undergoes a classic Champagne method secondary fermentation in bottle. As an Extra Brut, it receives minimal dosage, allowing the terroir and fruit expression to shine through with maximum transparency.
- AGING: Élevage in stainless steel tanks
- TASTING NOTES: The wine presents a pale gold color with subtle green reflections and a persistent, fine bead. The nose opens with delicate floral aromatics, progressing to notes of white fruits, dried fruits, green apples, lemon zest, and toasted brioche. On the palate, the wine is dense and powerful yet maintains refreshing vivacity. The texture is concentrated and intense, with fine, pleasant bubbles that create a lively mousse. The finish is long and balanced with a slightly nervous, energetic edge that speaks to the minimal dosage and bright acidity. This is a restrained yet expressive Champagne that exemplifies the mineral-driven style of the Montagne de Reims.
- FOOD PAIRINGS: The Extra Brut dosage and vibrant acidity make this Carte Blanche an exceptional aperitif Champagne and versatile food wine. It excels with pristine raw seafood—oysters, plateau de fruits de mer, sea urchin, or razor clams—where the wine's minerality and low dosage complement briny flavors without competing. Try it with seared scallops, Dover sole meunière, or turbot with beurre blanc. The wine's structure can handle richer preparations like lobster thermidor or crab bisque. For charcuterie, pair with delicate options like jambon de Paris or chicken liver mousse. The tight, focused profile also works beautifully with fresh goat cheese, burrata with lemon, or aged Comté. For a more adventurous pairing, consider crispy fried chicken with lemon, tempura vegetables, or ceviche where the wine's precision and effervescence cut through richness while refreshing the palate.
For four generations, the Forget family has cultivated vines and produced Champagne in the picturesque Premier Cru village of Ludes-le-Coquet in the Montagne de Reims. Thierry Forget, who graduated from the Faculty of Oenology in Reims in 1988, leads this grower-producer estate with meticulous attention to sustainable viticulture. As a récoltant-manipulant, Thierry oversees every stage from vineyard to bottle, ensuring complete control over quality. The estate's commitment to environmental stewardship earned it Level 3 HVE certification (Haute Valeur Environnementale)—the highest level possible for sustainable viticulture in France—and Thierry continues to convert more vineyard parcels to organic farming each year.
- WINEMAKER: Thierry Forget
- FARMING: HVE Level 3 Certified (High Environmental Value), with ongoing conversion to organic viticulture
- VARIETY: 33% Pinot Noir, 33% Pinot Meunier, 33% Chardonnay
- TERROIR: The estate spans 13-14 hectares across 11 villages in the Montagne de Reims and surrounding areas, including Ludes-le-Coquet (Premier Cru), Mailly-Champagne, Verzenay, Chigny-les-Roses, Taissy, and others. The Montagne de Reims is one of Champagne's most hallowed terroirs, with hillsides encircling Reims to the south and west, containing nine Grand Cru villages. The chalky limestone soils and cool climate of this appellation provide ideal conditions for producing structured, age-worthy Champagnes with precise mineral character.
- VINIFICATION: Primary fermentation and élevage conducted in stainless steel tanks. The wine undergoes a classic Champagne method secondary fermentation in bottle. As an Extra Brut, it receives minimal dosage, allowing the terroir and fruit expression to shine through with maximum transparency.
- AGING: Élevage in stainless steel tanks
- TASTING NOTES: The wine presents a pale gold color with subtle green reflections and a persistent, fine bead. The nose opens with delicate floral aromatics, progressing to notes of white fruits, dried fruits, green apples, lemon zest, and toasted brioche. On the palate, the wine is dense and powerful yet maintains refreshing vivacity. The texture is concentrated and intense, with fine, pleasant bubbles that create a lively mousse. The finish is long and balanced with a slightly nervous, energetic edge that speaks to the minimal dosage and bright acidity. This is a restrained yet expressive Champagne that exemplifies the mineral-driven style of the Montagne de Reims.
- FOOD PAIRINGS: The Extra Brut dosage and vibrant acidity make this Carte Blanche an exceptional aperitif Champagne and versatile food wine. It excels with pristine raw seafood—oysters, plateau de fruits de mer, sea urchin, or razor clams—where the wine's minerality and low dosage complement briny flavors without competing. Try it with seared scallops, Dover sole meunière, or turbot with beurre blanc. The wine's structure can handle richer preparations like lobster thermidor or crab bisque. For charcuterie, pair with delicate options like jambon de Paris or chicken liver mousse. The tight, focused profile also works beautifully with fresh goat cheese, burrata with lemon, or aged Comté. For a more adventurous pairing, consider crispy fried chicken with lemon, tempura vegetables, or ceviche where the wine's precision and effervescence cut through richness while refreshing the palate.