Chuck Hayward, JJ Buckley, October 2010

19% chardonnay, 12% pinot meunier, 69% pinot noir. About two-thirds of this cuvée was barrel fermented. As compared to the basic non-vintage blend, there are much more expressive wood and caramel notes on the bouquet. Hints of yeast along with some stone fruit aromas appear later. The oak/caramel/wood component is strong and gains weight towards the back palate. A unique style, this could probably use some time under cork to allow the fruit component to fully reveal itself. (Disgorged 11/09)

92 points,

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, November 2011

The NV Brut Empreinte emerges from the glass with beautifully delineated fruit, great body and terrific overall balance. Sweet red berries, flowers and mint are some of the nuances that are woven into a rich fabric of notable class. The Empreinte shows striking depth and purity. The higher percentage of Pinot seems inherently better suited to vinification in oak than the Chardonnay in this vintage. The Empreinte is 76% Pinot Noir, 14% Chardonnay and 10% Pinot Meunier, all from the 2006 vintage. Approximately 54% of the blend underwent malolactic fermentation. Dosage is 4 grams per liter. Disgorged May 12, 2011. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2014. -AG

91 points,

Stephen Tanzer's IWC, December 2010

(69% pinot noir, 19% chardonnay and 12% pinot meunier; disgorged January, 2010): Light straw, with hint of pink. An exotically perfumed bouquet evokes scents of raspberry eau de vie, blood orange, smoky minerals and rose. Deep and musky on the palate, offering chewy red berry and citrus flavors complemented by a succulent herb nuance. Tangy acidity adds lift and cut to a sappy, subtly smoky finish. This Champagne could almost stand in for a red wine; I'd serve it with braised duck or quail. -Josh Raynolds

90 points,

Wine Spectator, November 2011

Well-balanced and vivacious, with rich, ripe flavors of quince paste, marzipan and candied orange peel mixing with lively acidity. A hint of smoke lingers on the moderate finish. Disgorged January 2010. Drink now through 2015. -AN

About Winery

The south facing hills of the Vallee de la Marne, one of the five major subregions in Champagne, are located a short distance from Epernay, the area's second most important city. This is the home to both pinot noir and the less heralded pinot meunier varieties and it is quite easy for the vineyards here to ripen fully. Rene Geoffroy and his son Jean-Baptiste own about 32 acres planted predominantly to red grapes with about 20% of their vines in chardonnay. Their production of about 11,000 cases makes them one Thiese's larger producers.

Most of Geoffroy's vines are planted in the well-regarded premier cru villages of Cumieres and Hautvillers. Given the high proportion of red grapes grown by the family, it is no wonder that fermentation in wood has been part of the winemaking process for generations. The wines do not go through malolactic so as to preserve acidity which is needed for fruit grown in these warm crus. Compared to the wines of Vilmart, Geoffroy's wines seem a bit less oaky. Nevertheless, the wood component is strong so a good decant may be warrented.

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