Champagne Abel Lepitre
Exclusive Distribution BY GB Wines.
The Champagne ABEL LEPITRE is borned in 1924 in the famous village of Ludes-le-Coquet , close to the Mountain of Reims. Abel Lepitre created this brand (1900-1940) with very low money which was very rare in the past. Native from a very old family of winegrowers, Abel Lepitre control perfectly the wine and champagne making process. He succeed very quickly, his condition is quite enviable in the French and export market. In 1935, Abel Lepitre freighted approximately 100 000 bottles, at this period the champagne production was not over 25 millions bottles.
The War interrupted the upward trend. In 1940, Abel Lepitre died in geman captivity, he was only 40 years old. His son Jacques (1926-1988) was 14 at that time, he took over the business, first with his mother Marie Lepitre and quickly by himself.
After 10 years of success, Jacques Lepitre leave the small village of Ludes to have place in a gorgeous Crayères (english translation: The Caves for the chalk caves that made this region famous) in Reims. Abel Lepitre is now part of the renowned champagne houses.
To ensure the expansion of the brand, he built in the seventies modern installations at the periphery of Reims, of course they kept the buildings and caves in the centre of Reims.
Sales are flying over the million bottles a year!
Abel Lepitre extend his network all over France, overall in the on trade business.
Unfortunately, the house has to confront bad recolts.
In 1985, Mr Chatellier, founder and owner of the Château Dauzac buy the Abel Lepitre Champagne, he sold the buildings to Veuve Clicquot, his renowned neighbour.
Few years later in 1990, this purchase is a flop, Monsieur Chatellier gave in to Marie Brizard Group which just acquire Champagne Philipponnat in Mareuil Sur Ay. The two champagne houses merge and keep their original buildings.
Marie Brizard develop the two brands thanks to his mondial network but they meet financial problems whom oblige them to give in the 2 brands to BCC Group (Boizel Chanoine Champagne) in 1997.
Since 1997, Abel Lepitre get back with his personality and style !
The heritage of ABEL-LEPITRE
1924 CREATION OF THE CHAMPAGNE HOUSE ABEL LEPITRE
It is in the little village of Ludes-le-Coquet, nestled at the foot of the hills of the Grande Montagne de Reims, with little financeal means, where Abel Lepitre (1900-1940) created his House of Champagne in 1924 and which to this day, still bears his name. Originating from a family of winegrowers, Abel Lepitre perfectly mastered the techniques of both wine and champagne production. He quickly succeeded in producing wine that had an enviable place in the French market, and, in exports. By the end of the Second World War, the house of Abel Lepitre dispatched approximately 100,000 packages per year, in an era where Champagne production did not normally surpass 25 million bottles. |
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1940 THE DISAPPEARANCE OF ABEL LEPITRE
The war ended the rise to success. In 1940, Abel Lepitre died on his way to captivity to Germany at the age of 40 years; consequently, his first born son, Jacques (1926-1988) at the young age of 14 years old, took responsibility of the House by the end of the conflict – initially, with his mother Marie Lepitre – but later quickly assumed entire responsibility on his own. During those difficult years, he used the advice of a broker, Marcel Fignerolles. |
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1950-1960 NEW ESTABLISHMENTS AND EXPANSION
After 10 years of following his commercial success, Jacques Lepitre transforms the SARL which carries his name in S.A. and leaves Ludes-le-Coquet for Reims, landing in the south of the city at avenue du Général Giraud, close to the other famous Champagne houses, in a new and important establishment which includes notably the superb gallo-romaine crayères in the basement. In 1960, Abel Lepitre SA and Sons re-acquires from the Grandes Marques Champenoises, the brands "Georges and Henry Goulet" (well-known in England), "Girard and Cie" and "Gustave Gibert and Gravet", least notorious. That same year, Jacques Lepitre integrates his new acquisitions into the society of the “Grand Champagne de Reims », respecting and conserving the « personality » of each brand. In order to rationalise his commercilisation tool, he created a “wine sales office”, the society “Europe Distribution” which would be in charge of distributing wines and spirits from all origins. |
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1961 PARTNERSHIP WITH THE PRINCE ANDRÉ DE BOURBON-PARME In 1961, Jacques Lepitre, always showing the same dynamism and without losing time, obtains the authorization to elaborate and market a blending coming from the best crus of Chardonnay from “Côte des Blancs” with the name Prince André de Bourbon Parme on the label. The collaboration between the two men would last until 1985, dating back to the day when the house Abel Lepitre & Son was bought by the Corporation Chatellier & Son, which eventually became known as « Les Grands Vins Chatellier ». |
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1969 THE CUVEE “134”
The famous cuvee n°134. “134” was simply the number of the first exceptional blending recorded in the cellar book of the House. Presented initially in a Champagne bottle, Cuvée n°134 will be as early as 1974 and below the millésime 1969, sold in a very special and elegant bottle named judiciously « bacchanale ». At the time of its sale, the year of the half century birthday of Champagne Abel Lepitre & son, only 5 premiums cuvees were launched in the world-wide market. Today, as at the beginning, the Cuvée “134” is exclusively composed of Chardonnay from the Best crus of the Marne Valley and in particular “la Côte des Blancs” |
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1970-1974 FUSION WITH THE RICARD GROUP AND ACQUISITION OF THE BRAND "DE SAINT MARCEAUX
In 1970, the Group Ricard (currently more widely known as the Group Pernod-Ricard), takes control of a corporation from Epernay : « Les Etablissements Vinicoles Champenois », which holds 48% of the capital of the corporation “Grand Champagnes de Reims », and then become the dynamique business partner of Jacques Lepitre. By 1973, the corporation surpassed the millions of sold bottles and situating it in the 17th or 18th rank of the profession. In 1974, Jacques Lepitre acquires the very old brand "De Saint Marceaux", on which he is elaborating their cuvées for more than twenty years. The exportation is progressing, but the three quarters of the bottles are sold in France, essentially in restaurants. For the remainder, a very fidele clientele took the habit of ordering directly by mail and in larger proportions than the average profession. |
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1985 – 1997 DEATH OF JACQUES LEPITRE AND SLEEPY OF THE CHAMPAGNE HOUSE
Warm, visionary and of a natural ‘exigeant’, cultivating noticeable educational qualities, Jacques Lepitre is elected by its peers in 1973, as President of the Merchants in Champagne Wines. In 1980, he became ‘Chevalier de l’Ordre National du Mérite’. He stopped his business in 1985 and prematurely died in 1988. In 1989, the house Abel Lepitre & Son becomes a filial of the group “Marie Brizard”, which allows the company to increase the notoriety of its brand in France and abroad, whilst keeping the same imperatives of quality that always lived up to its reputation. Nevertheless, Abel Lepitre & Son encountered the crisis in the beginning of the 90’s, obliterating the immediate successes in the field and obliges the company to stay inactive for a small decade (1988 – 1997). |
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1997 ACQUISITION BY THE GROUP BCC « BOIZEL CHANOINE CHAMPAGNE »
20th November 1997, the group Boizel Chanoine Champagne (currently known as Group Lanson International) repurchases the champagne house Abel Lepitre & Son. Few people know that Philippe BAIJOT and Bruno Paillard are sentimentally attached to this brand. It is in this house, where Philippe BAIJOT began his career (as inspector of sales from 1976 to 1978) and all the first Champagne sold under the name of Bruno Paillard (Brut Millésimé 1975) originated from these cellars. Consequently, the new owners rationalize the range and propose only 4 Cuvée qualities (Brut "Ideale cuvée, Brut Millésimé, Brut Rosé and the cuveé “134”). Wines are very balanced, nice freshness, simply style : Convivial and Authentic. You can have it as an aperitif with friends, during a family meal and even with agastronomical meal. |
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2009 THE REVIVAL OF CHAMPAGNE ABEL LEPITRE WITH THE COLLABORATION OF GB WINES
ABEL LEPITRE was a very famous brand in the the 80s (surpassing the millions of bottles, ranked 17th in its profession), and was inactive for a decade to our great regret. It is a brand, for us has a particular fondness. It is because of this, it has been carefully reworked to meet the same premium standing as wines. Today, the brand ABEL LEPITRE is a well recognized export brand, thanks to the development of GB WINES. Take a detour in one of your trips and you will be able to appreciate it in England, Italy, Luxembourg all the way the Netherlands, Slovakia…and even in India! If you wish to become the pioneers of the "new" ABEL LEPITRE through your festive dinners, marriages, anniversary, and other events, we invite you to contact us. |
WINES
IDÉALE CUVÉE
A remarkably fine mousse rises against a background of intense gold. The scent is full of diverse and flattering aromas. On the palate, dominant notes of apricot and citrus fruits give way to spicy aromas of pepper and gingerbread, butter, cream and tobacco. The full-bodied structure of the wine combines with the subtlety of the mousse, and the delicate freshness on the palate. The complete impression is that of a generous, balanced champagne.
A champagne from the heart.
Proportion of each grape variety:
- 24% Chardonnay
- 46% Pinot Noir
- 30% Pinot Meunier
Region of origin:
Sézannais (Chardonnay), Les Riceys (Pinot Noir) and Vallée de la Marne (Pinot Meunier)
BRUT ROSÉ
DECANTER 2017 90/100 - Highly recommended
This magnificent bottle has a pale, ruby hue. The scent is subtle and fine, reveals aromas of wild strawberries and of other fine red fruits. The palate confirms an elegance and length of flavour. Some hints of flowers give an added complexity to the blend.
Proportion of each grape variety:
- 90% Pinot Noir vinified in white
- 10% Pinot Noir rouge (Les Riceys)
MILLÉSIMÉ 2009
A fine necklace of tiny bubbles rises gently against the pale, gold background. The scent is elegant and discreet, with notes of honey and a type of nut. These are followed by subtle aromas of almond paste and vanilla.
A balanced creaminess on the palate confirms the impression given to the nose. The wine is fresh, rounded and of remarkable length. The rich and elegant character is perfectly reflected in this great champagne.
Gently, a mosaic of perfumes is revealed: white flowers, acacia and honey accompany subtle hints of hazelnuts and of almonds. In the mouth, there is structure but also finesse.
The aromas of ripe fruit combine with the more developed flavours of vanilla and of Marc de Champagne.
Grape varieties and region of origin :
- 76 % Pinot noir (Mailly, Cumières)
- 24 % Chardonnay (Oger, Cuis, Chouilly)
CUVÉE N°134
In 1961, Jacques Lepitre created this Premium Cuvée for one of his best customers, the Prince André de Bourbon Parme. This is a blend of the best crus from the Côte des Blancs: pure Chardonnay.
The famous cuvee n°134 is the flagship of the house. 134 is simply the name of the first exceptional blending as it was in the cellar book in the past.
With lightness and finesse, the stream of delicate bubbles rises through the glass, reflecting hints of green and gold.
The aromas gently reveal themselves: lime flowers and lemon balm mingle with notes suggestive of bitter oranges and of quince.
Freshness and elegance are confirmed on the palate. The dominant notes of citrus fruits combine with notes of white peaches and raisins.
Composition of grape varieties :
100% Chardonnay (year 2002)
Region of origin :
Mesnil sur Oger, Vertus and Avize (Côte des Blancs)