AR Lenoble
Summary
AR Lenoble is a fourth-generation family-owned Champagne house producing 250,000 bottles annually from 18 hectares across three distinctive subregions, with significant holdings of Chardonnay in Grand Cru Chouilly, Pinot Noir in Premier Cru Bisseuil, and Pinot Meunier in Damery. Their traditional approach is enhanced by innovative techniques like their réserve perpétuelle system storing wines in magnums under cork, extended aging protocols, and sustainable farming practices that earned HVE certification in 2012.
Heritage & Leadership
AR Lenoble was founded in 1920 by Armand-Raphaël Graser, an Alsatian who moved to Champagne following World War I. The name "AR" derives from his initials, while "Lenoble" was chosen to evoke the noble qualities of the wines he aspired to produce. For over a century, AR Lenoble has maintained its status as an independent, family-owned Champagne house, now in its fourth generation of family ownership.
The leadership transition occurred in 1993 when siblings Anne and Antoine Malassagne, great-grandchildren of the founder, took over the estate. Anne manages the commercial and marketing aspects, while Antoine oversees viticulture and winemaking operations. Under their guidance, AR Lenoble has implemented significant changes, including sustainable farming practices and the development of a distinctive reserve wine program. The house remains one of the few Champagne producers that has never changed hands outside the family since its establishment.
Vineyards & Wines
AR Lenoble owns 18 hectares of vineyards distributed across three distinct Champagne terroirs. In Chouilly, classified as Grand Cru, the house cultivates 10 hectares of Chardonnay on chalky soils of the Côte des Blancs. Their 6 hectares in Bisseuil, a Premier Cru village in the Montagne de Reims, are planted with Pinot Noir on clay-limestone soils. The remaining 2 hectares are situated in Damery in the Marne Valley, where they grow Pinot Meunier on predominantly clay soils.
The vineyard holdings allow AR Lenoble to produce a range of cuvées that express these different terroirs. Their flagship wines include the Intense "mag 14" (a blend from all three villages), Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs from Chouilly, and Premier Cru Blanc de Noirs from Bisseuil. The house maintains an average vine age of 35 years, with some parcels exceeding 50 years. Annual production remains deliberately limited at approximately 250,000 bottles to maintain quality standards.
Philosophy & Practice
AR Lenoble's winemaking philosophy centers on preserving freshness and expressing terroir authenticity. The house pioneered a unique reserve wine system called "réserve perpétuelle," storing reserve wines in magnums under cork to maintain freshness while allowing controlled micro-oxygenation. This technique, implemented in 2010, has become a signature element of their production method.
The technical approach includes minimal intervention in the cellar. Most wines undergo no malolactic fermentation to preserve natural acidity. Primary fermentation occurs in stainless steel tanks, though some reserve wines see time in oak barrels. Aging on lees extends beyond the regional requirements, with non-vintage wines aging for a minimum of four years before release.
In the vineyards, AR Lenoble has committed to sustainable practices, achieving Haute Valeur Environnementale (HVE) certification in 2012. Their environmental initiatives include maintaining grass cover between rows, eliminating chemical herbicides, and implementing solar panels at their facility. The house also maintains biodiversity zones adjacent to their vineyards, supporting the ecological balance of their agricultural system.