Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

It has been a while since I’ve opened a Clemence. A favorite of mine & Sofia once upon a time. Still drink it, just not as often as I have moved to mostly Extra Brut. This is a Brut at 8g. Excellent Champagne & value at $44.99.

I believe there are only two resellers you can acquire it, one east coast & one west-K&L. You have to buy it pretty quickly once they get their container. It took several yrs building that relationship as Launois is careful about who they let resell their cuvées. In fact, it is even difficult to get in France. K&L has standing orders from some French citizens they ship back to France once they receive it. Kinda crazy.

The palate has nice mousse with lively acidity and micro oxygenation. Lime/lemon pulp w/ zest, stone fruits-white dominant, grapefruit w/ pith, bruised red/golden apples, Bosc pear, caramel, vanillin, some yeast, baguette crust, white spice, gritty, grey volcanics, chalky bits, limestone marl, oyster shells, yellow flowers/lilies, spring flowers with a little greens mixed in, very good acidy, well; made/balanced/tensioned with a smartly polished, elegant finish that lasts minutes and land on excellent minerality.

If you get to Champagne, visit. They have a huge museum of champagne/wine artifacts that date back to BC. My two pics do not show its enormity. They are about 35-40 minutes south of Reims.

They are the only producer I know of that places a rubber casket attached to the bottom of their corks. So, next to never do their cuvées have cork taint.

Enjoying it with the Jasper Hill Farms - Willoughby, buttery washed soft white cheese. Try with Rainbow Crisp crackers or warm baguette. Also, on apples with and w/o honey. — 7 months ago

Willie Carter

9.1

A light golden shade with a profusion of tiny bubbles. Green apples, pears, and grapefruit up front on the fun, fruity, and fresh nose. The citrus aromas take over with a little orange rind and peach. Tea biscuits and just the barest hint of red cherries make an appearance. This is honestly one of those champagnes you never want to stop smelling.

All Grand Cru Chardonnay from Le Mesnil sur Oger in the Côte des Blancs. Six years on lees with 8 g/l dosage. This is really nice with a sturdy, acidic backbone and just the right amount of floral attributes. Classy is the word I would use to describe this beauty. It most certainly over delivers for the price. And I have to mention the bottle, it’s spectacular.

The palate displays roasted nuts and more toast. Beautifully pure fruit here with lemon rinds, grapefruit, and tangerine. A splash of strawberry and cherry goes a long way here. The stone minerality takes the cake. Medium long finish with spice and more yeast. This is magnificent now but can wait a few more years. — 5 years ago

B

10

Magnum 1996 Launois Pere et Fils Special Club Brut Blanc de Blancs champagne. Dinner at Tap w S&L DiM and P&S Co. Crisp, light, nice density of bubbles, slightly creamy finish. Solid. — 10 years ago

Alex Alan

Wine Director Hotel Delmano

9.2

Base 2010 vintage with a mix of 2005-2009 reserve wine. 7 g/l dosage. Pretty and well balanced. Creamy, toasty, fine and precise. — 11 years ago

Gary Westby

Champagne & Sherry buyer K&L Wines

10

62% Pinot Noir and 38% Chardonnay all from estate vineyards in Ambonnay, dosed at 4g/l. On deck for the Marguet tasting tonight in Redwood City. — 12 years ago

Space

9.0

Выпито 0.375. L вдвоем 01.03.25 дома . Очень легкий и приятный совигьон Блан 2022 Мое! — a year ago

Jay Kline

9.1

The more Gallimard I drink, the more I like it. I thought their Cuvée de Réserve was pretty darned good the first time I tried it 6 years ago. Now, I think they are a leader in the value for money game. The “Les Meurges” Blanc de Noir Extra Brut is 100% Pinot Noir from Les Riceys, bottled at 4g/l.

Popped and poured; enjoyed over two days. Best on Day 2. The “Les Meurgers” BdN pours a striking pale salmon color with a persistent mousse. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of golden raspberries, strawberries, white peach, brioche, citrus blossom, lemons and minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with high acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and delicious. So easy to fall for. Best with some area and a decant, in fact, would not be a bad idea at this stage. Yum! — 2 years ago

Joan Ziegler

9.4

Favorite. Great value from K&L Wines. — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

On the nose, green apple, lime, lemon, pineapple, honey, sea spray, beautiful chalky minerals and white & yellow lilies. It's reductive in style. Freshness is apparent as it hits the palate. Green apple, golden apple, ripe pineapple flesh, lemon, lime, underripe green melon, brioche, powdery, soft chalkiness, saline, volcanic minerals, yellow & white lilies and an amazing long finish that does fade. It's just simply delicious! This is $35 at K&L Wine Merchants and to me is the best value in Champagne. Hopefully, you are in a state they can ship. But, when they get their allocation, you had better act quick as it doesn't last but a short week. K&L has standing allocation orders from people in France as it's even difficult for Frenchmen to find in France. If you are buying Veuve Clicquot or similar for more $, you really need to buy & try the Launois cuvées. Photo tour of; their estate, Le Mesnil Sur Oger vineyard, tasting bar and their unbelievably large champagne museum. It a must appointment in your are in Épernay. Producer notes...the history of our family goes back to 1872 when the house of Launois Père et Fils was founded in the village of Le Mesnil-sur-Oger. Located on the prestigious Côte des Blancs, which is the home of the very best Chardonnay grapes. Their vineyards are all classified as "Grand Cru": The family's has passed down from fathers to son and daughter through eight generations, Séverine and Caroline Launois. All their grapes are hand harvested and processed with great care. — 9 years ago

with Jr

Gary Westby

Champagne & Sherry buyer K&L Wines

10

84 Chard And 16 Pinot at 4.6g/l dosage! On deck for the Marguet tasting tonight in Redwood City. — 12 years ago

Eric Gardner

9.8

Chez Eric L. — 13 years ago

Graham

9.3

Really good spot now. From my K&L stash. — 2 years ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.0

2018 vintage. Decent S-L-B pricing for a 1er Cru but just not enough stuffing to justify my love. 8.21.24. — 2 years ago

Joan Ziegler

9.3

Beautiful bubbles from Luanois. Always excellent & affordable. K&L has the best selection of small vineyards in Champagne! — 4 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

Still the best value in NV Chardonnay Grand Cru Champagne. So delicious! If you haven’t had it, K&L just got in another shipment of Launois. They have in stock two of Grand Crus and 08 Special Club. Get it in the next coupe or three days before it’s gone. You’ll thank me when you have it. — 9 years ago

Vann R

8.9

Crowd pleasing red. Subtle tannic finish that balances nicely for the price range. Skinny legs with a medium flavor that resonates well. The Gamay pushes it to a favorable to all sense of goodness. — 10 years ago

Gary Westby

Champagne & Sherry buyer K&L Wines

10

We dug this out of the cellar for dinner with Scotty B of K&L SF. Very caramel at times, pure chalk at others, this elusive bottle was fabulous in all of its forms. I can't wait to see what the future holds! — 11 years ago

with Cleora

Jay Clark

9.5

100% Pinot Noir, 3g/l dosage. Get some. — 12 years ago