Mesnil - 2015
Robert Moncuit
- Region
- France » Champagne AOC » Côte des Blancs » Le Mesnil-sur-Oger
- Type
- white traditional sparkling, extra brut
- Producer
- Robert Moncuit
- Vintage
- 2015
- Disgorged
- 2022-10
- On lees
- 75 months
- Grapes
- Chardonnay
- Alcohol
- 12.5
- Sugar
- 0
- Volume
- 750 mL
- Cellar
- not available
- Find at
Ratings
This wine is truly generous and stylish, which explains its broad appeal. It offers a captivating array of aromas, including Duchesse candy, lemon, cream, brioche, honey, vanilla, and hints of basil or tarragon, all complemented by a subtle touch of Jerez. It's dense and intricately layered, with a round, complex profile that remains incredibly easy to drink. The added bonus is its excellent value.
This wine impresses with a successful combination of ageing, intensity, and fruitiness. It offers a palette of duchesse (pear), lemon, cream, brioche, and honey with notes of Jerez, and perhaps a hint of vanilla as well. The structure is excellent - dense, rounded, mineral, and enduring, particularly in its aftertaste. It's complex and multilayered, providing a deep and engaging tasting experience.
Robert Moncuit
Robert Moncuit's Champagne House has a rich history, tracing back to 1889 when Alex Moncuit, Robert's grandfather, first planted vineyards in the Champagne region. Robert Moncuit, the third generation, established the first estate-bottled champagne in 1928. Today, the estate is managed by his daughter Françoise and grandson Pierre Amillet, representing the fourth and fifth generations. They continue the family's tradition of producing exquisite Champagnes while embracing sustainable viticulture, free from chemical pesticides. The vineyards, spanning approximately 8 hectares around Le Mesnil-sur-Oger – a Grand Cru village in the Côte des Blancs – are ideal for producing Blanc de Blancs Champagnes from 100% Chardonnay grapes. The meticulous grape selection during hand harvest and the combination of steel tank and oak barrel vinification enhance the uniqueness of each Cuvée.
The Moncuit estate maintains a deep commitment to traditional methods, favoring them over modern technology. Grapes are harvested at peak ripeness, eliminating the need for chaptalization (adding sugar during fermentation). Each plot is pressed and vinified separately, allowing for complex blends. Malolactic fermentation is generally undertaken, except in exceptionally warm vintages. Aging occurs in both steel and oak barrels, with oak being particularly significant for single-vineyard wines. The estate's vineyards include prized plots in Les Vozémieux and Les Chétillons. Les Vozémieux, with vines planted in 1955, is located in the village of Oger and offers a north-facing aspect, contrasting with the south-facing Les Chétillons in Mesnil.