The story of Champagne André Robert was, and still remains, a family affair. Their tale began with one Henri Robert, and his pioneering vineyard work right after the end of the First World War. Realising the need for shared resources in the post-war recession, Henri formed what was the very first association group of grape growers, encouraging a shared kinship and the collective use of essential winemaking equipment. This shining legacy was later carried on by his son - the eponymous André - who worked the chalk-rich grand cru soils of Mesnil-dur-Oger with the help of a single horse, and later purchased the estate house, beneath which their hand-carved 19th century cellar still stands today.
Now well into their fifth generation, Claire Robert and husband Jean-Baptiste steer the ship together, continually harnessing the vivacity and distinctive depth that their Grand Cru Chardonnay fruit (the house's calling card since day one) brings to the fold. For this week's Champagne Monday special, we focus in on their terrific 'Les Jardins du Mesnil' - a Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs that has just landed back into Australia with a new 2020 base vintage! Ever a racy and structured option from their lineup, its fruit is sourced from a multitude of their plots throughout Mesnil-sur-Oger, with half of the wine vinified in small oak barrels and the other half sitting on fine lees in stainless steel. This two-way approach brings out memorable mineral vibrance and speckles of nutty and citric bite, with the warmth and generosity of the 2020 harvest impressing us more than on any previous experiences. Just a sprinkle of dosage at 3g/L keeps the mid-palate sharp and pristine, while the reserve wines aged in the solera method from great years past allows for a lovely sense of weight and complexity through the finish.
It is incredibly rare for us to find Grand Cru champagne of this quality at this price point - we say if there's a Champagne choice to be made over the coming week, let it be this stunner. We're confident it will impress!
Claire Robert (descendant of André) and her husband Jean-Baptiste Denizart pose in their cellars for what is surely in contention for the coolest winemaker photo out there.
André Robert 'Les Jardins du Mesnil' Grand Cru NV
$150 on special this week ($169 RRP)
// 100% Grand Cru Chardonnay (51% of fruit vinified in small oak barrels)
2020 base vintage (68%) and reserve wines from solera method (32%)
Aged on lees for 10 months before bottled in July 2021 and disgorged in November 2025
3g/L dosage
"This is a beautifully sculptured blanc de blancs from the exquisite Grand Cru vineyard of Le Mesnil-sur-Oger. One of the finest vineyards in the whole region, and it is a privilege to drink champagne from this village. There is great structure, with crushed oyster shell and mineral streaks, shining through a palate of grapefruit, lemon, lime, and pomelo. It is interspersed with touches of monstera deliciosa and saline characters. I always recognize this village by its ‘apple snow’ character – grated green apple folded through with whipped raw egg white. It shines in this champagne! There is beautiful oak use, which adds richness & complexity, giving a spicy layer. There is a film of chalky powder sprinkled over the whole palate – reflecting the beautiful Grand Cru vineyard. Some macadamia nuts and nougat are flicked through the wine, which adds to its vibrance. Base year of this champagne is 2020 – which is part of the great trio of '18, '19 and '20, which blessed the region. The dosage is about 3 grams per litre, giving the wine a wonderful length and dryness and allowing the chardonnay to shine superbly. Indeed, this a champagne I highly recommend – and you will be impressed!" - Bernadette O'Shea, Champagne Consultant, The Wine Emporium
"These are wonderful, gastronomic wines. Their mineral drive and tightly coiled energy reverberates on the palate. They are utterly unique and certainly beguiling. The Jardins du Mesnil comes from a multitude of their plots in Mesnil-sur-Oger. The blend is composed of east facing vineyards midslope (Les Coullemets du Midi, Les Finciarts, Les Vaucherots, Les Hauts d’Aillerand, Les Musettes) along with two plots from the lower plains (les Hautes Mottes and Les Coullemets). There are also plots from the high slopes that end up here (if they don’t make into their Terre du Mesnil)." - Importer Notes
If you wish to purchase this champagne, please use the link above
If you have any questions, please contact us on (07)32521117 or email sales@thewineemporium.com.au
// Special price valid until Monday the 13th of June