The vision of the house: the wine must reflect its terroir.

At Market Wines we are in a tireless pursuit of great wines, it's a tough job but someone has to do it ;). On our quest earlier this year, we were visiting with one of our top Champagne producers and asked if they would recommend any other small growers/producers who might want to be featured in our shops. Among that list was the small family producer from the Premier Cru village of Écueil in the Petit Montagne de Reims, Lacourte Godbillon. The Champagnes that recently arrived are some of the most exciting acquisitions of our Champagne adventure. They pack a swing for the fence with an abundance of flavour.

Like many small growers in Champagne, the Lacourte Godbillon family sold their grapes to the large Champagne houses for generations. The interdependent relationship between the grower and the "Grand Marques," fostered the growth of the Champagne "brand" into world-famous reputation it holds today. The rise of growers shifting to bottle their own champagne marks a significant change in the Champagne industry. In 1968, in pursuit to showcase the terroir of their land, Jean-Guy Lacourte and Claudine Godbillon bottled their first vintage under the Lacourte Godbillon name.

Today, Geraldine Lacourte makes her own wine with her husband Richard Desvignes as her parents did, from her family's parcels of land in the Premiere Cru village of Écueil. For Geraldine, the vision of the winery is clear: the wine must reflect its terroir. Even the wood for the oak barrels either comes from Écueil’s forest or from Champagne-Ardenne.

Lacourte Godbillon
Terroirs d'Écueil Premier Cru
Écueil Premier Cru, Champagne, France
The Terroirs d'Écueil is a representation of the terroir of the village. Depending on the base year, the non vintage blend is comprised mostly of the current vintage with 35% - 50% reserve wine. The use of reserve wine allows the family to create a masterpiece, a harmonious assemblage of flavour through the blending up to 3 recent vintages.

The 85% Pinot Noir / 15% Chardonnay ratio is a reflection of their vineyard plantings and showcases their Champagne house brand.

Lots of toasty yellow fruits on the nose, which is quite typical from the village of Ecueil. The palate is a melange of different citrus characters, all framed by a soft and balanced acid structure.


Lacourte Godbillon
Premier Cru Rose
Écueil Premier Cru, Champagne, France
Rich and fruity aromas with a touch of oak from being aged in barrels. Made from 5 wines over 3 vintages, from the prestigious Écueil terroir. This bottle has been aged for a minimum of 24 months in the cellars before disgorgement and has a dosage of 5g/l. With a potential ageing of 2 to 4 years, this bottle is perfect for your cellar.

Lacourte Godbillon C.H.V.
Parcellaire 2019 Chaillots Haut Vignes
Écueil Premier Cru, Champagne, France
A gastronomic champagne produced in micro quantities. Made with 100% Chardonnay grown in the Les Chaillots and Les Hautes Vignes vineyards, from the 2019 vintage. Fermentation takes place in oak barrels, the wine is matured for three years before disgorgement and six months after.

The aroma of lemon-butter and sweet smoke greets the senses, while the initial taste is persistent and refreshing. The complexity and creaminess add to its splendor, with hints of sweet sponge-cake and almond for a truly delightful finish.