A family champagne house working from 12.4 hectares of vines in Avize and Le Mesnil, five generations after Élise Beauvallet's first bottles were laid down in the cellar under the farmhouse in 1829.
Each cuvée is a single expression of the estate — five different readings of the same two villages, according to vintage, parcel and age on the lees.
A blend of the last three vintages, 42 months on the lees. The everyday Beauvallet — at its best with oysters and a long afternoon.
A single harvest, a single parcel. 72 months in the cellar, no dosage. A vintage of great generosity, tightly held.
A rosé of fifteen hours maceration. Pinot Meunier from a single family parcel, rare in the lineup. 36 months on the lees.
A 0.4-hectare parcel in Le Mesnil, old vines, the highest expression of the estate. 96 months on the lees. Released in May.
Not a champagne — a still Chardonnay from the same vines, in very small quantities. An aperitif wine for those who've already met the house.
Our Cuvée des Carmes in magnum, cellared a further three years. Offered to members of the allocation list each March.
Six vintages the house declared between 2008 and 2022. The rest of each year's fruit, when a millésime was not declared, goes into the Cuvée des Carmes.
A generous harvest. Warm June, cool August nights — what Marc called "the English summer we never had." Linear, slightly saline, long on the finish.
A very warm year, well-held by altitude. The Cuvée Élise 2018 is considered by Le Mesnil's older growers to be among the decade's best bottles. 72 months on the lees.
A dry August curbed the rot. A firmer vintage, with a spine of acidity carrying it. Now showing the first brown-butter notes — decanting is rewarded.
A small harvest — 40% down — of exceptional quality. Frost in April, a saving July. Concentrated, patient; the first bottles we recall our grandmother laying aside for herself.
Four of the six cuvées are made in quantities too small to sell at retail. They are released each March to private clients on the allocation list, who are welcome to take part, some, or none.
Meet the house, in person or online. A first conversation, a first cuvée.
Each March, an offer letter arrives. Indicate interest, numbers and timing.
Allocations confirmed in May, shipping — within the UK and EU — between September and November.
One visit to Avize every three years is offered to members. The eighth visit is on the house.
Visits take place on Thursdays and Fridays from March to October. Two hours with one of the family, the cellar, the dégorgement bench, and two cuvées at the end. Maximum six guests.
Visits fill a season ahead. Numbers are kept small and the pace is unhurried.
A £80 per guest deposit is taken at booking, redeemable against any cellar purchase on the day.