Emmanuel Brochet Les Hauts Chardonnays 2013 Champagne

The Brochet Hauts Chardonnays 2013 stands as one of the most compelling single-varietal expressions to emerge from this celebrated grower estate. Emmanuel Brochet works with extraordinary dedication, coaxing wines of remarkable precision and depth from his meticulously tended vines. This Extra-Brut release captures the cool, mineralic character of the 2013 vintage with rare elegance. For collectors seeking grower Champagne of the highest order, this bottle represents a genuinely singular opportunity.

About Emmanuel Brochet

Emmanuel Brochet farms a small domaine of roughly three hectares, situated primarily around the village of Villers-aux-Nœuds in the Montagne de Reims. He took over the estate from his family and chose, early on, to bottle his own wines rather than sell grapes to the négoce. That decision transformed him into one of the most admired récoltant-manipulants in the region. His approach is patient, uncompromising, and deeply rooted in the land he works every day.

In the vineyard, Brochet favours low yields and attentive canopy management. He works with great respect for the natural ecosystem, keeping interventions to a minimum. In the cellar, he applies the same philosophy: allowing each vintage to express itself honestly, without masking its character behind heavy dosage or industrial processing. The results speak clearly — wines of tension, purity, and remarkable longevity that have attracted the attention of critics and collectors worldwide. For a broader view of what defines great grower Champagne, Decanter Champagne reviews offer an excellent point of reference.

The Terroir of Brochet Hauts Chardonnays

The Montagne de Reims is best known for its Pinot Noir, yet Chardonnay planted on its higher slopes can produce wines of extraordinary mineral focus. The soils in this part of Champagne carry deep reserves of belemnite chalk — the same ancient marine limestone that underpins the region’s greatest terroirs. This chalk drains freely, stresses the vine gently, and forces roots downward in search of water and nutrients. The result is a concentration of flavour allied to a vivid, almost electric minerality.

According to the Comité Champagne, the region’s unique combination of northerly latitude, chalk subsoil, and continental climate creates conditions found nowhere else on earth. Furthermore, the elevated sites — hinted at directly in the cuvée name “Les Hauts” — benefit from excellent sun exposure and natural drainage. Together, these factors build wines of considerable structure and aging potential. Indeed, the Brochet Hauts Chardonnays reflects this terroir with admirable fidelity.

Vinification & Style

Emmanuel Brochet vinifies his Chardonnay parcels with great care and minimal intervention. Fermentation takes place in used oak barrels — primarily small barrels of varying ages — which add texture and complexity without overwhelming the fruit. He typically blocks malolactic conversion, preserving the wine’s natural acidity and reinforcing its mineral backbone. Long ageing on the lees further builds richness and autolytic depth. Finally, the Extra-Brut dosage — extremely low, often under four grams per litre — keeps the palate clean and focused, allowing the vintage and terroir to speak without interference.

Tasting Notes

Nose: Bright green apple and crushed white pear open the bouquet with calm authority. Moreover, there are notes of lemon curd, chalk dust, and a delicate hint of toasted brioche from extended lees contact. White flowers and a faint nuttiness add layers of quiet complexity.

Palate: The entry is precise and tightly wound, with crisp acidity framing flavours of citrus zest, white peach, and dry almond. Additionally, a saline, almost oyster-shell quality runs through the mid-palate, giving the wine an unmistakable sense of place. The texture is creamy yet restrained — generous without ever becoming soft or broad.

Finish: The finish is long, mineral, and impressively persistent. Chalky notes linger alongside a whisper of grapefruit pith, keeping the wine fresh and vibrant well after the last sip.

Service & Glassware

Temperature: Serve between 9 °C and 11 °C. Avoid over-chilling, as lower temperatures suppress the wine’s aromatic complexity and mineral expression.

Glass: A tulip-shaped Champagne glass — or a white Burgundy glass for a more open aromatic profile — suits this wine well. Both formats allow the bouquet to develop fully and direct the wine cleanly to the mid-palate.

Decanting: Optional, but briefly beneficial. A fifteen-minute rest in glass after pouring allows the wine to open and reveal its full character.

Food Pairings

• Fine de Claire oysters served simply with lemon — the wine’s saline minerality makes this a near-perfect match.
• Grilled langoustine with herb butter, where the Extra-Brut acidity cuts cleanly through richness.
• A finely aged Comté or Gruyère, whose nutty, crystalline texture echoes the wine’s autolytic complexity.
• Delicate white fish — sole or turbot — roasted with capers and brown butter, complementing the wine’s citrus and chalky depth.

Cellaring

The 2013 vintage in Champagne was challenging in the vineyard, yet rewarding for producers who managed their selections wisely. Brochet’s rigorous approach in the vineyard and cellar means this wine emerged with excellent structure and balance. It is drinking well now, showing the textural richness of a decade’s careful ageing. However, it has every potential to evolve further. Store horizontally at 12–14 °C, away from vibration and light. A well-cellared bottle should reward patience through 2030 and potentially beyond. As Wikipedia: Champagne notes, the finest grower wines from exceptional producers regularly outperform expectations at the table of time.

Why Buy Brochet Hauts Chardonnays in Switzerland?

Wines & Spirits SA sources rare and collectible bottles with the care they deserve. This single bottle of Brochet Hauts Chardonnays 2013 has been stored in our climate-controlled facility in Eclépens, Canton de Vaud — maintained at optimal temperature and humidity throughout its time with us. Stock is strictly limited to one bottle. We ship across Switzerland, the European Union, and worldwide, with appropriate packaging for each destination. Alternatively, you may collect by appointment directly from our cellar in Eclépens. If you are building a grower Champagne cellar, we also recommend exploring the Emmanuel Brochet Rosé de Saignée and the equally compelling Jérôme Prevost La Closerie GC — two further expressions of what grower Champagne can achieve at its peak. To explore further options, Browse all Champagne in our collection and discover the full breadth of our specialist selection.