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Region: France - Champagne
Grapes: 100% Chardonnay
Alcohol: 12.5%
Notes on the Wine
Straw gold, fine mousse and delicate, lemony nose. Mouth with nervous and direct attack, full and firm mouth savage, one limpid finale. Our non vintage Cuvée is made by blending various plots of Chardonnay grapes exclusively grown in Le Mesnil. Hence its name of "Blanc de Blancs". All Classified "Grand Cru" the terroir of Le Mesnil is exceptional.
Notes on the Producer
The Le Mesnil co-operative was established in 1937 in the heart of the Grand Cru village of Le Mesnil Sur Oger in the Côtes des Blancs, which is widely regarded as the source of the region’s best Chardonnay. Currently, the winery is owned by the Union des Propriétaires-Récoltants, who collectively own around 754 acres of vineyard, with winemaker Gilles Margue at the helm. Margue, who joined the winery in 2001 and was promoted in 2005, has a National Diploma in Oenology and has worked internationally in California, New Zealand, and in South Africa.
Vineyards are located half on the plains and half on the hillsides, taking full advantage of the sun. Under Gilles Marguet, the principles of “la lutte raisonnée” are applied, limiting the use of chemicals, and yields are restricted by pruning to 4-5 buds in each cane. The vineyards all have excellent hydric qualities due to the base layer of chalk in the soil, which retains water even during droughts, thus allowing the Chardonnay to reach its full potential.
Every step of the vinification process is carried out with the utmost respect. Modern and well equipped cellars allow them to work according to time respected traditions, whilst enabling them to closely monitor each cuvee. Wines are aged for a minimum of three years in the co-operative’s chalk cellars, resulting in Champagne that is finessed and ethereal, with fine acidity. Following release, non-vintage wines can be cellared for three to five years and vintage wines for up to twenty years depending on the vintage. Their Le Mesnil Non-Vintage cuvee recently won a gold medal at the "Chardonnay du Monde" competition in 2015.
