Hébrart Brut Champagne 1er Cru Mes Favorites Vieilles Vignes NV

96 points Tyson Stelzer (The Champagne Guide): "(2014 base vintage; disgorged 24 April 2018; 25% chardonnay, 75% pinot noir; Jean-Paul’s favourite parcels of Mareuil-sur-Aÿ from vines older than 50 years; 2013 and 2012 reserves; fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks; full malolactic fermentation; aged 3 years on lees). Behind the village of Mareuil, directly under the vineyards, a sheer chalk cliff stands as a dramatic and stark testimony to the profound terroir that forms the bedrock of what is the greatest premier cru of all. To drink Jean-Paul Hébrart’s new cuvée is an equally profound experience of the confronting minerality of Mareuil-sur-Aÿ. The ability of the deep roots of old vines to extract the chalk signature of the terroir of great sites is remarkable indeed, and Hébrart bores to the very core of the chalk of Mareuil. Old vines infuse sensational concentration, too, rippling and rumbling with layers of generous white peach, fig and layers of spice. Chalk brings dynamic freshness to this succulent generosity, holding pronounced persistence and impeccable line. It’s little wonder that these plots, Hébrart’s most representative of his village, are the closest to his heart. Mes Favorites, indeed. Mine too. (2020-2021)"

92 points William Kelley (Wine Advocate): "Disgorged in August 2019, Hébrart's new release of the NV Brut Premier Cru Mes Favorites Vieilles Vignes is based on the 2015 vintage. Wafting from the glass with aromas of pear, white flowers, blanched almonds and Meyer lemon, it's medium to full-bodied, bright and pillowy, with a pretty core of fruit, lively acids and a refined mousse. Once again, it derives from superior, south-facing sites in Mareuil-sur-Ay that also inform his Special Club bottling. Drink: 2021-2035. (Mar 2021)"

92 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "[$70 list] The NV Brut Mes Favorites Villes Vignes is perfumed and quite airy in feel. The Mes Favorites is a pretty wine, but there is not exactly the depth or gravitas I expect to see in an old-vines bottling. Dried flowers, herbs, chamomile and citrus open nicely in a tasty, mid-weight Champagne from Marc Hébrart. Disgorged: August 28, 2019. Drink: 2021-2028. (Nov 2021)"