Champagne Laborde
Champagne house in Nogent l'Abbesse, Montagne de Reims.
- Village
- Nogent l'Abbesse
- Region
- Montagne de Reims
- Cuvées in the guide
- 4
Champagne Laborde is a family-run estate in Nogent l'Abbesse (Champagne), run by Delphine and Pierre-Emmanuel Laborde, who took over the estate in 2017/2018 and made their first harvest as récoltant-manipulant in 2018. The estate is part of the prestigious Passion Chardonnay group.
History and Terroir The family has been growing grapes in the region since the 18th century (sometimes cited as far back as the 13th generation); the name of the village refers to the Abbey of Saint-Pierre-les-Dames, which already owned vineyards here in the 6th century. The terroir on the Mont de Berru consists of limestone, comparable to the Côte des Blancs, and is historically rated at 87% on the crus scale (now regarded as Premier Cru). The village was heavily destroyed in the First World War but rebuilt by Delphine's ancestors.
Vineyards and Sustainability The estate owns approximately 14 hectares (some sources mention 5-5.7 hectares actively managed) with 95% Chardonnay and a small percentage of Pinot Noir (old-vine parcels from the 1970s in Berru). The vineyards use agro-ecological methods: no chemical pesticides, preservation of biodiversity (hedges, bees), and low CO2 emissions (less than 16% of the average). Most of the vines are 35+ years old and are planted using sélection massale.
Winemaking The Labordes vinify exclusively their own grapes in an underground cellar for gravity-fed work. They use small stainless steel tanks and 300L oak barrels (especially for Terre d'Abbaye). They work without additions (no charring, bentonite or acidity correction) and use only the cuvée (first pressing). The wines age on the lees until spring, and reserve wines are kept using a perpetual reserve method.
Main Champagnes
- Perpétuelle NV: The flagship, a Blanc de Blancs from Chardonnay from Nogent l'Abbesse, with a considerable share of perpetual reserve and low dosage.
- Brut Nature: An extended ageing of the Perpétuelle without dosage.
- Tandem NV: A blend of Chardonnay and old Pinot Noir.
- Terre d'Abbaye: A single-variety Chardonnay aged entirely in oak barrels, in honour of the abbey's history.
- Rosé NV: Made from old Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, with additional Pinot Noir for colour.
- Vintage Les Écus / Les Beaux Lieux: Single-variety parcels of old vines with extended ageing.
Cuvées by Laborde
All producers in the interactive guide · All Champagne houses