{"product_id":"france-pierre-moncuit-grand-cru-millesime-2014-blanc-de-blancs-champagne","title":"France: Pierre Moncuit - Le Mesnil Grand Cru Millésime 2014, Blanc de Blancs, Champagne","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrape variety: 100% Old Vine Chardonnay, with 9 years bottle age before release.\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis fabulous producer, a consistent darling of the critics, established in 1977, is based in the village of Le Mesnil(-sur-Oger), 15km south of Épernay on the Côte des Blancs - it's a small, rather sleepy village but happens to house some of the very best producers. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Côte des Blancs is famed for its slopes rich in chalk (to which the 'Blancs' in the name refers) and the vineyards are dominated by Chardonnay. The wines are known for the intense minerality that the ancient seabed imparts. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIndeed, two of the world's greatest (or at least most expensive) sparkling wines come from Le Mesnil: these being Salon's Le Mesnil and Krug's Clos du Mesnil, both well north of £1000 a bottle and often over twice this price for older or highly sought after vintages. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe secret is the terroir - the soils and environment - of Le Mesnil. According to Salon's Mathieu Pouchan, it provides wines with more acidity and concentration than other Chardonnay villages in the Côte des Blancs. “When we taste the new wine, it is almost unbearably acidic,” says Pouchan. “The wine needs to soften, which is why we wait at least 10 years before release.” It is the high acidity - so vital for quality sparkling - that allows for the development of so much flavour complexity, and for the ability to age for decades. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAs an aside, 2014 was a cool growing season, but many vintages if not most since then have either been too warm, or at times far too warm, a real threat to the region's production of sparkling, particularly if the increase in temperatures continues at the same rate. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn the case of Pierre Moncuit, this 2014 was aged 9 years in bottle on its lees (lees being dead yeast cells formed from the second fermentation in bottle that add lovely biscuity, yeasty flavours, while the fermentation in bottle is also of course responsible for creating the very fine bubbles). \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhile to many of us a wine at this price is still only an occasional treat, given Pierre Moncuit's is a very fine example of Le Mesnil and a Grand Cru (the top vineyard classification in Champagne) and - just like Salon and Krug - ages beautifully, this wine is actually phenomenal value for what it is; and its scores by the experts are not that far off Salon and Krug! \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis is lovely now, boasting a fine mousse alongside aromas of crisp apple, almond and subtle pastry notes, but it will also gain further complexity if you want to tuck it away (in a consistently cool, dark environment). \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e95 points (\"Outstanding, Exceptional, The Elite\"), James Suckling (one of the world's top wine critics):\u003c\/strong\u003e “Dry and chalky, showing sliced‑apple, dried‑lemon and stone aromas and flavors. Medium‑bodied with fine, integrated bubbles. Caressing texture and a long, delicious finish. Really refined and sophisticated. Dosage 3 g\/L. Disgorged February 2025.” \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFood Pairing \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOysters, seared scallops, lobster, firm-fleshed white fish, sushi and sashimi, caviar-topped canapés, crisp fried chicken, pork, and mild, soft cheeses.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"#WineObsessed","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53785781698907,"sku":null,"price":74.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0948\/7741\/7819\/files\/PierreMoncuitBldeBlWebsiteBottle_f3693f4d-d85d-409d-9652-c853bdddcff3.png?v=1786724081","url":"https:\/\/wineobsessed.co.uk\/products\/france-pierre-moncuit-grand-cru-millesime-2014-blanc-de-blancs-champagne","provider":"#WineObsessed","version":"1.0","type":"link"}