Purity Meets Maximum Terroir Expression of Champagne Lombard

From the meticulously curated rows of glass jar soil samples to the sprawling 1.5km of historic millstone cellars, Champagne Lombard's deep-rooted respect for terroir is palpable.

Step through the winery's doors and you're greeted by a warm, inviting atmosphere. Wine-inspired artworks by Sylvaine Lombard, Thierry Lombard's wife, adorn the maison, adding a touch of artistic flair. A youthful energy pulses through the estate, harmoniously blending with a rich family legacy dating back to 1925. This passion and visionary spirit has been passed down through generations, ensuring Champagne Lombard's enduring commitment to quality.

Located in Épernay, France, Champagne Lombard is a family-owned estate renowned for its exceptional Champagnes. Their Burgundian approach to winemaking, with a focus on single-vineyard cuvées aged in oak barrels, elevates terroir expression to new heights. Certified organic since 2022, the estate is dedicated to sustainable viticulture, ensuring the preservation of the environment for future generations.

Champagne Lombard owns 6 hectares of prime vineyards in the prestigious Premier ans Grand Cru Montagne de Reims, predominantly planted with Meunier, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay. Additionally, they cultivate strong relationships with growers in the Côte des Blancs, Aube, and Vallée de la Marne, sharing their commitment to terroir-driven winemaking.

In addition to their commitment to quality and terroir, Champagne Lombard is also committed to sustainability. The estate is certified organic, and they are constantly exploring new ways to reduce their environmental impact. By using sustainable farming practices and minimizing the use of chemicals, Champagne Lombard is helping to protect the environment for future generations.

Minimal intervention is a cornerstone of their philosophy. By allowing the natural qualities of the grapes to shine through, they craft elegant and complex Champagnes that are true expressions of their origins. A significant portion of their production is Brut Nature, showcasing the purity of the fruit and terroir without the addition of dosage.

Their Signature Champagnes, sourced from Premier and Grand Cru terroirs, are vinified in Extra Brut or Brut Nature styles, offering a dry, elegant profile. Their Terroir Champagnes made in Brut Nature style allowing the true character of the grapes and terroir to shine through. The Millésime Champagnes, produced in exceptional years, exhibit great complexity and aging potential.

During my visit, Isabelle Kroun, Head of Communications, shared the fascinating story of the tanagra bottle, a unique vessel designed for the family to enhance the aging process. The bottle's shape concentrates the lees at the shoulder, slowing down the development of aromas and preserving the wine's purity over time. She proudly showed me a further testament to their commitment to quality is the innovative peel-back label on the back of the champagne bottle. This label first reveals a grape variety, dosage followed by a detailed map of the region and parcel location, and other essential details for any champagne enthusiast.

The estate's 18th-century cellar houses a collection of wines dating back to 1973. With 140 French oak barrels of various sizes, Champagne Lombard employs extended lees aging and bâtonnage to add texture and complexity to their Champagnes. Their numerous stainless steel tanks preserve the purity and freshness of the fruit. This also allows for single grape varieties, single parcels and single vineyard to be vinified separately based on the specific characteristics of each vineyard and the desired style of the wine.

I had the pleasure of meeting Laurent Valiant, the head oenologist, cellar master, and vineyard director, as well as Thomas Lombard, the CEO. Together, we tasted a range of their exceptional Champagnes, each one a testament to their unwavering dedication to quality and terroir:

Brut Nature Le Mesnil-sur-Oger Grand Cru

A pristine expression of 100% Chardonnay, this Brut Nature offers remarkable clarity and linear freshness. Delicate aromas of lemon zest, white flowers, and subtle minerality lead to a vibrant and refined palate. The finish is long and precise, leaving a lasting impression of chalky minerality and citrus.

Brut Nature Verzenay Grand Cru

A Blanc de Noirs that embodies the essence of Verzenay's terroir, this Brut Nature delivers a delicate and precise expression. The fine, persistent mousse carries subtle aromas of brioche, apple, and white flowers. On the palate, vibrant acidity balances flavors of lemon, white peach, and chalky minerality. The long, elegant finish leaves a lingering impression of citrus and saline notes. A wine with the potential for significant aging, offering vibrancy, electricity, and presence.

Brut Nature Vertus Premier Cru Lieu-dit “Le Bas Des Gaumes”

This captivating Blanc de Blancs showcases the unique terroir of Vertus. The nose offers a complex bouquet of ripe orchard fruits, subtle spice notes, and a hint of toasty brioche. The palate is elegant and refined, with vibrant acidity balancing rich fruit flavors. The long, mineral-driven finish leaves a lasting impression of chalky minerality. A truly exceptional expression of Chardonnay.

Brut Nature Chouilly Grand Cru Lieu-dit “La Vigne Bouillet”

A powerful, gastronomic Champagne, this 100% Chardonnay from the 2016 vintage is dominated by notes of candied citrus (lemon, orange), complemented by subtle floral nuances (hawthorn) and mineral undertones. A lively attack leads to a fine evolution, with citrus flavors, beautiful minerality, and a hint of grilled brioche. The long, saline, and persistent finish leaves a feeling of freshness in the mouth.

Brut Nature Villedommange Premier Cru Lieu-dit « Les Ribauds »

This Brut Nature offers a captivating expression of Pinot Meunier from the Premier Cru village of Villedommange. The wine displays a rich and complex palate with notes of ripe red fruits (raspberries, cherries), interwoven with subtle spice and mineral undertones. Extended aging contributes to a refined texture and a lingering finish. A truly exceptional Champagne.

Brut Nature Verzenay Grand Cru Lieu-dit « Les Corettes »

A focused and elegant expression of the Verzenay terroir, this 100% Pinot Noir from two parcels reveals delicate aromas of redcurrant and pear jelly. The palate showcases a vibrant interplay of pear, mirabelle plum, and citrus notes. The Pinot Noir adds a structured backbone, providing weight and a subtle tannic grip. A mineral undertone adds complexity, resulting in a long and satisfying finish.

Lombard Brut Nature Grand Cru

A refined and elegant Champagne, this Brut Nature showcases the house's commitment to purity and terroir. The nose offers a captivating bouquet of lemon zest, white flowers, and subtle brioche notes. The palate is precise and focused, with a vibrant acidity balancing the rich fruit flavors. The finish is long and mineral, leaving a lingering impression of citrus and chalk.

Lombard Extra Brut

This Extra Brut offers a vibrant and complex palate. Fresh citrus and orchard fruit notes dance alongside delicate brioche and toasted almond accents. The wine's crisp acidity provides a refreshing lift, leading to a lingering, mineral-driven finish.

Brut Nature Grand Cru Millésime 2008

A blend of 80% Chardonnay from Grand Cru Mesnil-sur-Oger and Chouilly, and 20% Pinot Noir from Grand Cru Bouzy, this 2008 Millésime has been aged in the tanagra format for a minimum of 10 years in the cellar. The result is a refined and elegant expression of the vintage. The nose offers a captivating bouquet of lemon zest, white flowers, and subtle brioche notes. The palate is precise and focused, with a vibrant acidity balancing the rich fruit flavors. The finish is long and mineral, leaving a lingering impression of citrus and chalk. A truly exceptional Champagne that showcases the house's commitment to purity and terroir.

Champagne Lombard's commitment to innovation extends beyond their iconic Champagnes. The estate's Villedommage Esprit « Les Ribauds » Gin is a testament to their creative spirit. Inspired by the terroir of Villedommange Premier Cru, this unique gin offers a captivating sensory experience, with notes of juniper, rose petals, peppermint, and more.

My visit to Champagne Lombard was a truly unforgettable experience. The warmth and hospitality of the Lombard family, combined with the stunning beauty of the estate and the exceptional quality of their wines, made it a truly memorable occasion. I highly recommend visiting Champagne Lombard to experience the magic of this extraordinary estate firsthand.