Champagne Brut Nature
Les Cognaux

The Champagne Les Cognaux by Ruppert-Leroy is a pure Blanc de Noirs, made from 100% Pinot Noir sourced from the namesake Lieu-Dit located in Essoyes, in the heart of the Côte des Bar. The name “Cognaux”, which in the local dialect means “little corner”, evokes the intimacy and natural vocation of this parcel, selected as early as the 1980s for its privileged position and distinctive soil. The vineyard stretches along a hillside with a south/southeast exposure, characterized by grey clay and a rich presence of marine fossils—a combination that gives the wine saline energy and deep minerality. Cultivated according to the principles of certified biodynamic viticulture, the approach in the vineyard is holistic: it integrates on-site animal farming, the use of natural preparations, and soil management focused on promoting biodiversity and ecosystem balance.

Based on the 2022 harvest, Les Cognaux is vinified with full respect for the integrity of the fruit: spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeasts, no fining or filtration, and 9 months of aging in wood, between 225-liter barriques and 500-liter demi-muids, during which natural malolactic fermentation also takes place. After tirage, the wine is aged at least 18 months on its lees, before manual disgorgement à la volée, with no liqueur de tirage and no added sulfites, in keeping with the brut nature style.

On tasting, Les Cognaux reveals a complex and refined nose, with notes of red apple, citrus, brioche, and dried fruit. On the palate, it is tense, pure, supported by lively acidity and an elegant mineral texture, leading to a long, dry, and persistent finish.

This Blanc de Noirs Champagne is the clearest expression of the Essoyes terroir and fully reflects the philosophy of Ruppert-Leroy: a lively and authentic wine, free from artifices, that tells the truth of the soil with transparency, energy, and character.