Maison Gamet: Rive Droite Extra Brut 2022

Maison Gamet: Rive Droite Extra Brut 2022

The Cuvée

Maison Gamet is a grower house from Mardeuil, with additional vineyards in Damery and Fleury-la-Rivière, all located on the right bank of the Marne. This is Meunier country, and the cuvée's name makes that into a statement: Rive Droite, the right bank, home to that grape variety which was long considered merely a gap-filler in Champagne.

Rive Droite puts Meunier front and center. The assemblage consists of 85 percent Meunier, complemented by 15 percent Pinot Noir, a Blanc de Noirs that doesn't hide its origins. Vinified in stainless steel tanks, around twenty months on the lees, based on the 2022 vintage with about thirty percent reserve from 2021. With four grams dosage, the wine stays in the Extra Brut range, dry enough to clearly outline the fruit.

The result shows how precise Meunier can be: juicy ripe pear, yellow stone fruit, a hint of apple compote, plus a creamy texture and that light salinity that draws you to the next sip. An honest, approachable champagne that takes the grape variety seriously.

My Tastings

Experiencing two worlds directly side by side, completely unfiltered, completely without show. Meunier meets Chardonnay: both pure, both full of character, but completely different.

I taste both bottles deliberately without changing glasses. Same conditions, same temperature, just two champagnes that couldn't be more different.

Maison Gamet, Rive Droite, Extra Brut: Assemblage of 85% Meunier and 15% Pinot Noir, vineyards on the right bank of the Marne, vinified in stainless steel tanks for 20 months on the lees, 2022 base wine with 30% reserve from 2021, dosage 4 g/l, disgorged in March 2025.

A juicy Meunier with ripe pear, yellow stone fruit and a hint of apple compote. Creamy, charming, with that light salinity that makes a second sip almost inevitable. An honest, approachable champagne that shows how precise Meunier can be.

In comparison, a Margaine, L'Extra Brut, 1er Cru: 100% Chardonnay from Villers-Marmery (Montagne de Reims), 20% aged in oak barrels and 80% in stainless steel tanks, without malolactic fermentation, minimum 24 months on the lees, dosage 3-5 g/l, disgorged in July 2024.

Crystal-clear Chardonnay, pure tension. Green apple skin, citrus, white flowers, fine chalk. Taut, mineral and straight as an arrow about to be released.

Two bottles, two worlds, both authentic and honest in what they are. Rive Droite for the soul, Margaine for the mind.

Details

Producer Maison Gamet
Cuvée Rive Droite Extra Brut
Vintage 2022 (+ 30% Reserve 2021)
Category Blanc de Noirs
Grape Varieties Pinot Meunier (85%), Pinot Noir (15%)
Terroir Mardeuil, right bank of the Marne, Vallée de la Marne
Vinification Stainless steel tank, 20 months sur lattes
Dosage 4 g/l (Extra Brut)
Highlights ripe pear, stone fruit, creamy, salty note
Pairs with Cheese, game dishes

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