Champagne François Lecompte
Champagne house in Rilly-la-Montagne, Montagne de Reims.
- Village
- Rilly-la-Montagne (Premier Cru)
- Region
- Montagne de Reims
- Type of house
- RM · Récoltant Manipulant
- Founded
- 1876
- Cuvées in the guide
- 10
Champagne François Lecompte is a Récoltant-Manipulant (RM) house, founded in 1876 by the Lecompte family in Rilly-la-Montagne (Marne), a village at the foot of the Montagne de Reims. Since 1980 the estate has been run by François Lecompte, who focuses on producing Grand Premier Cru champagnes with a strong emphasis on terroir and authenticity.
Vineyards and Terroir
The estate has about 9 hectares of vineyards, located exclusively on the monoterroir of Rilly-la-Montagne. The soil is argilo-calcair (clay-limestone), which contributes to the freshness and complexity of the wines. The grape varieties are Chardonnay (40%), Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier (equally divided). The vines are grown according to integrated viticulture (agriculture raisonnée), without the use of biodynamics.
Method and Vinification
François Lecompte takes a traditional and natural approach:
- Hand harvesting of the grapes.
- Natural vinification with indigenous yeasts (no added cultures).
- Fermentation takes place in stainless steel cuves or oak barrels (for the Cuvée Céleste).
- Ageing: The champagnes age for more than six years on the yeast in the estate's cellars, at a constant temperature of 9°C.
- Dosage: The house produces both Brut (with little sugar, approx. 6 g/L) and Brut Nature (zero dosage) and Extra Brut variants.
Champagnes
The portfolio includes various cuvées that reflect the diversity of the terroir:
- Brut Millésime: Vintage champagne, always a blend of the three classic varieties.
- Brut Nature / Extra Brut: Unsweetened or lightly sweetened versions.
- Cuvée Céleste: A special cuvée fermented and aged in oak barrels, with a fine touch of wood.
- Monocépage Champagnes: Blanc de Blancs (100% Chardonnay), Blanc de Noirs (100% Pinot Noir) and Blanc de Meuniers (100% Pinot Meunier).
- Rosé: The "Roses de Champagne", a blended rosé.
The champagnes are priced between €17 and €30, depending on the cuvée. The house is known for its fruity, natural profiles that emphasise the typicity of Rilly-la-Montagne.
Cuvées by François Lecompte
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