Tarlant Zero Brut Nature

Introduction

Tarlant Zero Brut Nature is a highly regarded grower Champagne produced by the Tarlant family in the Vallee de la Marne, France. The Tarlant estate, established in 1687, is currently managed by the 12th generation, represented by Benoit and Melanie Tarlant. This wine is the estate's signature "calling card," representing roughly 70% of their production. It is a Brut Nature, or zero-dosage Champagne, meaning no sugar was added during the disgorgement process. The Tarlant family were pioneers in the zero-dosage movement in the late 1970s, aiming to showcase the unadorned purity of their terroir.

Wine Description

Tarlant Zero is typically a non-vintage blend that utilizes a base year complemented by a significant proportion of reserve wines.

• Varietal Composition: An nearly equal blend of the three main Champagne varieties: 32% Chardonnay, 32% Pinot Noir, and 32% Pinot Meunier. The remaining 4% often consists of rare, "forgotten" indigenous varieties such as Petit Meslier, Arbane, and Pinot Blanc.

• Aromatic Profile: The nose is intense, fresh, and complex. It offers a vibrant bouquet of citrus zest (lemon, mandarin), white orchard fruits (green apple, pear), and white flowers like acacia. Due to extended aging on the lees, it also develops sophisticated notes of toasted almond, hazelnut, brioche, and honey.

• Palate and Body: This is a full-bodied, bone-dry Champagne with a remarkable mineral tension. It possesses a silky, creamy texture and a fine, persistent perlage. Flavors of crisp citrus and white fruit are underscored by a distinct salty minerality and a chalky grip that reflects the limestone and flint soils of the Marne Valley.

• Winemaking and Aging: The estate practices organic viticulture across 63 individual parcels. Each plot is vinified separately in used French oak barrels to provide structural support without overwhelming the fruit. Malolactic fermentation is generally avoided to preserve natural acidity. The wine undergoes an exceptionally long secondary fermentation in the bottle, often resting on the lees for 5 to 7 years before being disgorged without any added sugar.

• ABV: 12%.

Accolades

Tarlant Zero is consistently praised by critics for its precision and depth:

• Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: 90 points

• James Suckling: 93 points

• Wine Spectator: 91 points

• Vinous (Antonio Galloni): 93 points