About Michel Fagot
Champagne Michel Fagot is a family grower-producer based in Rilly-la-Montagne, in the Montagne de Reims. The estate belongs to the récoltant-manipulant tradition: the family works with fruit from its own vineyards and also handles vinification and commercial release. It therefore sits within the world of smaller Champagne producers whose wines are closely linked to the character of their villages, alongside the region’s larger houses.
Rilly-la-Montagne is a Premier Cru village on the northern slopes of the Montagne de Reims, south of Reims. Its slopes combine chalk in the subsoil with soils that also contain clay and sand. This cool northern climate makes the choice of harvest date and the retention of freshness especially important. Pinot Noir is particularly at home here, bringing structure, red-fruit notes and sometimes a gently savoury or spicy edge; Chardonnay contributes citrus, tension and finesse. Pinot Meunier can also play a supporting role in the area.
Michel Fagot’s wines are best understood as gastronomic, terroir-focused Champagnes: dry Brut wines with a firm frame, ripe fruit and lively acidity. As in Champagne generally, their mousse comes from a second fermentation in bottle. Ageing on the lees adds bread, brioche and nutty notes, while the freshness of the base wines remains an important part of the profile.
The Millésimé Brut Champagne Premier Cru is a key reference in this context. A millésimé is made from grapes harvested in one single year and is intended to express that particular growing season; the vintage is consequently stated on the label. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay make a natural partnership for the Montagne de Reims, with the former providing depth and length and the latter precision. This is a style equally suited to an aperitif or the table, and, depending on vintage and ageing, it can continue to develop in bottle.
- Based in Rilly-la-Montagne in the Montagne de Reims
- Rilly-la-Montagne holds Premier Cru status
- A récoltant-manipulant, growing and making its own wine
- Pinot Noir is a leading local variety
- Vintage wines express a single harvest year
All wines from Michel Fagot
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