Champagne Guy de Chassey — Grand Cru Louvois in the Seventh Generation
Champagne Guy de Chassey is a Récoltant Manipulant from Louvois in the Montagne de Reims. The maison is now run jointly by Marie Odile de Chassey and her daughter Ingrid in the 7th generation. Louvois is classified as Grand Cru — one of only 17 villages in Champagne with this status. Until the third generation, the family operated under the name Lucien Beaufort, before the current name Guy de Chassey was introduced.
History
The history of Louvois reaches far back: around 1100, the castle of Louvois was built, giving the village its name. In the 13th century, Gaucher de Châtillon became the first Seigneur de Louvois. Around 1600, Michel le Tellier, father of the famous Louvois, minister under Louis XIV, bought the ruined castle and had it restored. A century later, the estate passed to the Dames de France, and Marie-Antoinette regularly stayed there.
The French Revolution of 1789 severely damaged the castle, leaving only parts standing. At the same time, the family began working as vignerons — initially in the first two generations as grape suppliers. From the third generation, around 1850, the family began producing their own bottles under the name Lucien Beaufort.
The transition to the current name Guy de Chassey occurred in a later generation, though the exact year is not verified. Today Marie Odile de Chassey and her daughter Ingrid run the maison — a female generational transition that continues the tradition over seven generations.
Vignoble & Soil
The maison cultivates 9.5 hectares across three villages: Louvois and Bouzy (both Grand Cru) as well as Tauxières-Mutry (Premier Cru at 99%). The cépages distribution is clear: 75% Pinot Noir and 25% Chardonnay, no Meunier.
The soil is argilo-calcaire — a clay-limestone mix — with south and southeast exposure. This orientation brings warmth and ripeness, while the limestone content provides tension and minerality. The old vines for the Cuvée Antide as well as the Pinot Noir parcels in Bouzy shape the house signature: powerful, structured, but with natural acidity.
Viticulture & Sustainability
Guy de Chassey works according to Viticulture raisonnée — an approach that prioritizes conscious management of soil, water, air, and fauna. Part of the vineyard is covered with grass, another part is plowed, to promote biodiversity and protect the soil.
The maison is HVE-certified (Haute Valeur Environnementale), a French state certification that requires high environmental standards in biodiversity, plant protection, fertilization, and water management.
Vinification
The grapes are pressed in a vertical wooden press — a gentle, traditional method for must extraction. Alcoholic fermentation takes place in thermoregulated stainless steel tanks at about 18°C, to preserve fruitiness and precision.
Malolactic fermentation is blocked — a conscious decision to preserve freshness, aging potential, and the natural acidity of the grapes. Individual cuvées like the Cuvée Antide are aged in oak barrels, where the wood is finely integrated and never dominant.
The remuage — the riddling of bottles to concentrate the lees — is done entirely by hand. The maison's philosophy lies in precision, freshness, and preserving fruitiness over seven generations of artisanal tradition.
The Cuvées in Detail
Brut Cuvée de Buretel
Amber-colored robe, white flowers, spices, citrus fruits and white fruits in syrup. The Pinot Noir provides power, the Chardonnay finesse. Multiple awards, including 2** in Guide Hachette 2023 and Bronze Medal at Decanter 2018.
70% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay
Sec
Amber-colored robe, similar aromatic profile to the Buretel cuvée — white flowers, spices, citrus fruits — but with higher dosage. Balance between power and finesse, well suited for dessert pairing.
70% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay
Brut Rosé
In meiner Journey merke ich jetzt nach fast einem Jahr immer wieder, wie normal es für mich geworden ist, Champagner zu trinken. Deswegen probiere…
Der Nicolas d’Olivet 2019 von @champagneguydechassey wirkt von Anfang an sehr klar und ruhig. Die goldene Farbe passt zum Stil: präzise, frisch, ohne…
Von @champagneguydechassey hatte ich ja nun schon ein paar Flaschen im Glas – und bisher waren alle sehr solide und haben durchweg richtig Spaß…
Rosé with salmon reflections, initially fine and subtle, then rich and complex. Red and black fruits dominate the aromatics. The Pinot Noir comes from old vines in Bouzy Grand Cru, part is vinified as red wine and blended. Silver Medal Mondial de Bruxelles 2023, 92 points Wine Spectator.
70% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay · Bouzy Grand Cru
Rosé Dry
Higher dosed rosé version with fruity bouquet, red fruits, fresh and gourmand. Perfect for desserts. Pinot Noir from old vines from Bouzy Grand Cru.
70% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay · Bouzy Grand Cru
Blanc de Noirs
Pure Pinot Noir in golden robe, white fruits at full ripeness with candied citrus. Nice tension, mandarin and lemon marmalade, mineral finish. Extra Brut dosage. Grande Médaille d'Or Mondial de Bruxelles 2023, 2** Guide Hachette 2022.
100% Pinot Noir · Extra Brut
Brut Millésime 2015
Golden yellow robe, fine mousse. Fine and delicate bouquet: yellow candied fruits, sweet flowers, spice notes. On the palate vinous, summer fruit marmalade — nectarine, apricot — with toasted notes. Sélectionné Guide Veron 2023.
50% Pinot Noir, 50% Chardonnay · 2015
Brut Cuvée Réservée Nicolas d'Olivet 2020
Beautiful golden robe, mineral — chalk and flint — then linden, black pepper, mirabelle, almond. Lively palate, nice acidity, pear marmalade, grape, apple. Structured with mineral finale. Grande Médaille d'Or Mondial de Bruxelles 2023.
60% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay · 2020 · Grand Cru Louvois
Brut Cuvée Antide
Vinified and aged in oak barrels, exclusively old vines. Pale gold, woody dimension with red fruits, fruit paste. Fleshy attack, fine bubbles, very fresh and long. The fruit remains very present, the wood is well integrated. Gold Medal Mondial de Bruxelles 2022, Coup de Cœur Guide Veron 2020.
50% Pinot Noir, 50% Chardonnay · Aged in oak barrels · old vines
Cuvée Euphrasie
Multi-vintage assemblage: 85% Chardonnay from 2012, 15% Pinot Noir from 2011. Bottled March 5, 2015, 10 years on lees. Subtly floral, mandarin, meringue, praline, candied citrus note. On the palate generous, candied lemon, kiwi, fine flowers. Balance between freshness and roundness. Stainless steel, no MLF, manual riddling.
85% Chardonnay (2012), 15% Pinot Noir (2011) · 6.5 g/l · 120 months aging · Premier Cru Tauxières-Mutry
My Tastings
- Cuvée Euphrasie — 2026-01-03
- Nicolas d'Olivet 2019 — 2025-12-13
- Cuvée Euphrasie — 2025-11-23
The Euphrasie is a remarkable cuvée: 10 years on lees, no MLF, manual riddling. You can sense the maturity on the nose — mandarin, meringue, candied citrus note — but the palate remains fresh and precise. The balance between generosity and tension works very well.
Nicolas d'Olivet 2019 is a mineral statement from Louvois Grand Cru. Clear, precise, linden flower, mirabelle, subtle spice. On the palate lively acidity, yellow fruits, fine marmalade. The blocked MLF and avoidance of wood let the terroir's minerality shine through clearly.
Facts
| Criterion | Value |
|---|---|
| Official Name | Champagne Guy de Chassey |
| Former Name | Lucien Beaufort (from third generation) |
| Category | RM (Récoltant Manipulant) |
| Address | 1 Place de la Demi Lune, 51150 Louvois |
| Region | Montagne de Reims |
| Cru Status | Grand Cru (Louvois) |
| Leadership | Marie Odile de Chassey, Ingrid (7th generation) |
| Vineyard Area | 9.5 ha |
| Villages | Louvois (GC), Bouzy (GC), Tauxières-Mutry (PC 99%) |
| Cépages | 75% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay |
| Soil | Argilo-calcaire, south and southeast exposure |
| Approach | Viticulture raisonnée, HVE certified |
| MLF | blocked |
| Vinification | Stainless steel tanks (18°C), partly oak barrels (Antide) |
| Dosage | approx. 6.5–8 g/l (based on tasted cuvées) |
| Website | champagne-guy-de-chassey.com |
| @champagneguydechassey | |
| Phone | +33 3 26 57 04 45 |
Sources for this portrait: Maison website, personal tastings, CRM data and cross-checks. Fields without sufficient verification remain open.