Fallet-Dart: A Grower Making Champagne Since 1610
This Dart Hits the Bullseye!
The first time that I went to Fallet-Dart with Gary, the online mapping system sent us down the wrong road. Once we went back to the highway, the Fallet-Dart family helped us by giving directions over the cell phone speaker. We were very grateful not to miss any of their fantastic Champagnes that morning!
The family has been growing grapes in Charly-sur-Marne since 1610—more than four centuries, through revolutions, wars, and every kind of vintage. Their range has always been exciting and varied, from crisp citrus-driven wines to mouth-filling richness. Three newer releases stand out right now, and all three are worth your attention.
Fallet-Dart "Heres" Brut Champagne $44.99 It is a Pinot Noir dominant blend with 70% being devoted to that varietal. The remainder of the blend is 15% Pinot Meunier and 15% Chardonnay. Now, one would think that a Pinot based blend such as this would be on the weightier side. This is not the case with the Heres. It starts out light on its feet with clean citrus and white flower notes. From there it heads straight into the yellow fruits…pear to be exact. There are upper palate shortbread flavors and a zippy, clean finish that also has some candied exotic fruit flavors. The 6g/l dosage keeps things snappy and bright. Vinification is a combo of stainless steel and French oak.
2018 Fallet-Dart Extra Brut Champagne $49.99 What a wonderful vintage offering this is! The first thing that struck me when I tasted it was the creaminess. Gone are the days when “Extra Brut” and “Brut Nature” would peel the enamel off your teeth. These newer releases are far more friendly and inviting. The blending is reversed from the “Heres.” The Extra Brut is composed of 70% Chardonnay and 30% Pinot Noir. Like the “Heres”, there are pear scents and flavors. In this case, white pear. There is also a wonderful palate of lemon cream, apple core, toasted almond, hazelnut, and candied ginger. Vinification is stainless steel.
Paul from Champagne Fallet-Dart.
The future of Champagne looks to be increasingly blended with Pinot Meunier. Unlike “old school” Pinot Meunier bottlings, which could be full of forest floor and grilled game bird scents, the new Pinot Meunier offerings are leaner, cleaner and substantially more enjoyable. The 2019 Fallet-Dart "Pur Meunier" Champagne $69.99 is the newest release of the line. Charly-sur-Marne is known for its Pinot Meunier plantings and the sourcing for this bottling is the “Les Chaillots” vineyard (planted in 1971) and the “Morlot” vineyard (planted in 1981). The “Pur Meunier” is also fermented in stainless steel and has a low 5g/l dosage. Like its two siblings, it also has pear flavors and scents. In this case, both white and yellow. There is also a honeyed aspect to it with a nicely faint Meunier smoke. Like the Extra Brut, there is creaminess to the bead and a surprisingly chalky finish which often comes with the more modern style of making Pinot Meunier dominant wines. Almond paste, cinnamon and key lime round out the palate. This is quite a complex Champagne that is a real gem!
Happy bubbling!