Willie Carter

8.9

A clear shimmering gold color in glass with vivacious tiny bubbles that go on and on. Very pretty and stately in appearance. An absolute burst of orchard fruits on the nose with pears and peaches. A touch of grapefruit with a dab of honey. These floral notes are a bit enchanting and delicate. Hazelnuts and green apples abound the longer it grows in the glass.

When I think of Cédric Moussé, I automatically think of Meunier, as he is one of the Masters of Meunier. This Blanc de Blancs comes from plots in Cuisles and Jonquery originally planted with Pinot Meunier. Disgorged in 2019 with an Extra Brut of 2 g/l, this thing sings and is so delicious. The acidity is zesty and the structure is well balanced. Full of life and power.

The palate is charming from first sip to the last. Mirroring the nose, those pears and peaches tantalize while yeast makes you smile. Very mineral driven and plenty of chalky goodness. Apples become dominant as times goes on. The finish has nice length with some unexpected white pepper. A unique entry in the Moussé portfolio and it most definitely belongs. — 2 years ago

Willie Carter

9.6

Another one of these Bouvet beauties and they are all very special.

Subtle gold color in the glass. Precise, powerful perlage with a plethora of fine bubbles. Immediately there’s a touch of touch of sweetness on the nose belying it’s Extra Brut dosage. Apples fresh from the oven and violets. Apricots, toasted croutons, and plums. Just the right amount of oak.

Antoine Bouvet is one of the young, rising stars of champagne and his wines easily surpass the hype. 100% Pinot Noir from Mareuil-sur-Ay. Low dosage of 2 g/l and disgorged in late 2020. Racy acidity and exquisite balance here. Medium to full bodied with nice tension and clarity. Graceful and lithe but with oh so much substance.

Plenty of zest with lemon and lime mingling with fresh herbs on the tongue. A sudden attack of red berries titillate along with oak and spice. A nice of dab of honey brings everything on home. I can’t say enough about his champagnes but the main thing is, I’m always disappointed I didn’t get more. — 3 years ago

Ryan Vento

9.1

Fun night celebrating a dear friend’s birthday at Lucio’s BYOB over dinner. Everyone brought their own bottles to share with the group that was gathered.
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A nice bottle of Rosé bubbles with a certain degree of finesse and elegance that I think just about anyone could identify and appreciate. Raspberries, strawberries, spices and minerals. Balanced and gulpable. Dosage: 8 g/l. 65% Pinot Noir and 35% Chardonnay. — 5 years ago

with Becca, Taryne and 1 other

Brian Hearty

9.2

NV. Disgorged 01/2017. Sugar 8 g/L. Pinot Noir 60%, Chardonnay 40%. Rich, bready, golden delicious apple. Paired great with Indian pakoras, samosas, and chana masala. — 2 years ago

Willie Carter

8.9

These Hebrart champagnes are criminally underrated. Light gold with a nice burst of tiny bubbles. Creamy and effervescent. The nose is evocative and immediately appealing. Chamomile and chalk. Deep summer fruits and apples along with peaches and cream. Toasted bread and almonds after some time in the glass.

Honestly all of these releases from Champagne Hebrart are spectacular. From Premier Cru plots in the Vallee de la Marne. 80/20 PN/CH and disgorged in may of 2020 with a dosage of 8 g/l. Pleasant acidity and silky smooth. There’s an underlying elegance with the entire range of champagnes and this is no exception.

Graceful and lithe on the tongue, there’s plenty to love here. Generous orchard fruit and a dab of honey. More than a hint of spice here along with more chalk and salinity. Lemon curd and apricots accompany the medium long finish. Magnificent wine from one of my favorite producers. — 3 years ago

Evan McKenzie

9.1

A single harvest blended with 50% reserve wines. 7 crus from Coteaux Sud d’Epernay Vallée de la Marne and Côte des Blancs, vines average 40 years of age.
Blend: 50% Chardonnay, 40% Meunier, 10% Pinot Noir.
Dosage: 2.5 g/L
EtOH: 12.5%

Brilliant soft effervescence. Notes of brioche, citrus, peach, white cherry, green apple, straw, wet stone — 4 years ago

Ryan Vento

9.1

Composition: 44% Pinot Noir, 6% Meunier, 50% Chardonnay.

Harvest: 2011 and reserve wines.

On the Lees: 5 years

Disgorged: March 2017

Dosage: 0 g/l

On the nose pretty full bodied with nougat, copper, and overripe strawberries. On the palate it is far less rich and full as you would expect based on the nose. This is essentially an effervescent Provençal Rosé. Would pair perfectly with a summer salad. — 5 years ago

with Krystal

Blake Walker

9.3

100% Pinot Meunière. Disgorged 11/2020. Extra Brut 3 g/l. Aromatic orchard fruit, red and golden apples. Craving more! — 2 years ago

Willie Carter

9.0

A single varietal Meunier from Billecart-Salmon? I’m sold, completely. A really attractive pale lemon with fine bubbles and energetic effervescence. This starts off quite closed in and offering not much on the nose but with a little time in the glass but then evolves into something special. Floral aromatics first, with a hint of jasmine and white flowers. There are some nice herbal and yeast notes here. The fruit eventually takes over with orange peel, plums, and a dollop of red cherries.

A one off champagne from one of the giants of the region. So many great things are being done with Pinot Meunier nowadays that they couldn’t resist crafting this. Straight out of the Vallée de la Marne, specifically Leuvrigny, Festigny, and Venteuil and vinified in stainless steel tanks and aged for a little over four years. The acidity is racy and so nice with the Extra Brut dosage of 4.5 g/l. Based on the 2014 vintage and consisting of 1/3 reserve wine.

A champagne that’s big on vinosity. Very clean and focused with tension and precision. Bone dry and still in its youthful phase, there’s an immediate burst of minerality in the mouth. Red apples and peaches with a streak of honey throughout. A long and generous finish. So much fun and will be even better in the future. — 3 years ago

Aravind A

9.2

Disg 18 Sep 2017, 1 g/L dosage. On the nose: lovely oxidative notes: almost chenin-like with lanolin, pure ripe lemon, and a touch of apple. On the palate: so fresh with fantastic acidity, electric lemon, lemon peel, wet stone, yellow plum, and fantastic finish that just tapers off softly. Yum! — 4 years ago