93-96 points Vinous Media
Drinking window: 2028 - 2042
I tasted the 2022 Extra-Brut Hors Série in three versions during dosage trials. Ample and creamy, the 2022 is a Champagne of striking textural breadth and resonance. Layers of citrus confit and floral notes develop with time. It will be interesting to see where this ends up, as the wine itself is absolutely gorgeous. I preferred the version with the lowest dosage, as it seemed to offer the best balance in a vintage that already offers so much natural richness of its own. - By Antonio Galloni, May 2026
Alexandre Chartogne is one of Champagne’s most dynamic growers. A new winemaking facility nearby is almost finished, while projects here seem to be many. Readers will note the range is a bit compact this year because of the challenges posed by the 2021 growing season. Chartogne will only release two 2021s, the Chemin de Reims in 2026 and the Hors Série (which he often refers to as the Avize) at a later date. In the meantime, Chartgone plans to make up for some of the lost volume by releasing magnums of several wines. These include the 2019 Chemin de Reims and the 2017, 2018 and 2019 Hors Série.

100% Chardonnay sourced from two small plots in the Côte des Blancs grand crus villages of Avize and Oger. This cuvée marks the first time Alex moves outside his family terroirs of Merfy to experiment in chalky soils of the Côtes des Blancs.Vines planted between 1927 -1986 on chalky soil with very high porosity. Vinification: Long native fermentation, rarely finishes in less than two months after harvest. Aged in old barrels for about 9 months before bottling and aged on slats for around 40 months.

Style Profile

• Body: Medium-plus to full
• Acidity: Medium-plus to high
• Mousse: Fine, creamy and pillowy
• Fruit intensity: Pronounced
• Dosage: Extra Brut, 2.2 g/L
• Minerality: Pronounced chalk and salinity
• Finish: Very long, concentrated and mineral-driven

Pairing Suggestions

Pair with scallop carpaccio, grilled lobster, roasted turbot, Dover sole, butter-poached shellfish, sushi, caviar, gougères, roast chicken or aged Comté. Serve around 50–54°F in a Zalto Universal or white Burgundy glass. The wine will benefit from at least 20 minutes in the glass, particularly at this youthful stage.

• Village: Avize Grand Cru, Côte des Blancs
• Classification: Blanc de Blancs; Extra Brut
• Grape: 100% Chardonnay
• Vineyards: Sun-exposed parcels in Avize, primarily on the lower slopes where the chalky soils are relatively shallow
• Farming: Organic principles (not certified), no herbicides; soils cultivated (plowed) mechanically and, in selected parcels, by horse 
• Harvest: Entirely hand-harvested 
• Fermentation: Indigenous yeasts
• Winemaking: Vin clair base wine is Vinified entirely in oak (used) for 9 months. Alexandre Chartogne has emphasis on texture and controlled oxygen exposure rather than pronounced new-oak flavor.  This is one of the biggest reasons he aligns with Domaine Jacques Selosse, where he worked as an assitant winemaker and learned how to do make wine this way.
• Élevage: Approximately nine months in oak before bottling
• Bottled: July 2023
• Disgorgement: Spring 2026
• Dosage: 2.2 g/L
• Alcohol: 12.5%
• Production: Approximately 2,500 bottles
• Drinking window: 2026–2040