Hi-Time's 12 Champagnes of Christmas
As many of you may know, Meunier (aka Pinot Meunier) has been enjoying a something of a Champagne Renaissance in recent years thanks to the efforts of dedicated growers like Francis Orban, Francis Egly, and certainly Cédric Mousse, the creator of this wonderous Meunier master work.
JEB DUNNUCK 93 POINTS - "Named for the lieu-dit in the village of Cuisles, the 2018 Champagne Les Fortes Terres Brut is entirely Meunier and, in fact, was the first entirely Meunier wine of the house. Elegant and pillowy, with crystalline saline accents throughout, it pours a medium-straw color and offers aromas of golden peaches, ripe raspberry, flinty wet stone, and cooling spearmint. Medium to full-bodied, the mousse is refined and accentuates the wine’s mineral persistence, with a long, mouthwatering finish with notes of white pepper. It trades in the house’s generally broad shoulders, with a sporty and refined structure, as well as lively tension throughout. For fans of these wines, it should be noted that while it doesn’t offer the depth we are accustomed to seeing (possibly due to the high-yielding vintage), it’s an exceptional offering from Cedric Mousse and his team, with the potential to age a decade or more. Drink 2025-2035. A mere 0.5 grams per liter of dosage, and disgorged January 2023.
VINOUS WINE MEDIA 92 POINTS - "The 2018 Brut Les Fortes Terres (100% Meunier) is a bold, explosive wine that shows a notably exuberant expression of Meunier. Ripe pear, spice, flowers and mint are nicely amplified. Even with minimal dosage (0.5 grams per liter), the 2018 is on the riper side. All this needs is more midpalate persistence, but it is still very nicely done. Disgorged: January 11, 2023"
100% Meunier from old vines in Les Fortes Terres in Cuisles. This has always been the top vineyard at the estate and produces Meuiner with fruit flavors that veer towards exotic hints of mandarin orange, papaya, guava and even litchi, alongside the more typical red-fruit flavors that one might expect from Meunier.
As many of you may know, Meunier (aka Pinot Meunier) has been enjoying a something of a Champagne Renaissance in recent years thanks to the efforts of dedicated growers like Francis Orban, Francis Egly, and certainly Cédric Mousse, the creator of this wonderous Meunier master work.
JEB DUNNUCK 93 POINTS - "Named for the lieu-dit in the village of Cuisles, the 2018 Champagne Les Fortes Terres Brut is entirely Meunier and, in fact, was the first entirely Meunier wine of the house. Elegant and pillowy, with crystalline saline accents throughout, it pours a medium-straw color and offers aromas of golden peaches, ripe raspberry, flinty wet stone, and cooling spearmint. Medium to full-bodied, the mousse is refined and accentuates the wine’s mineral persistence, with a long, mouthwatering finish with notes of white pepper. It trades in the house’s generally broad shoulders, with a sporty and refined structure, as well as lively tension throughout. For fans of these wines, it should be noted that while it doesn’t offer the depth we are accustomed to seeing (possibly due to the high-yielding vintage), it’s an exceptional offering from Cedric Mousse and his team, with the potential to age a decade or more. Drink 2025-2035. A mere 0.5 grams per liter of dosage, and disgorged January 2023.
VINOUS WINE MEDIA 92 POINTS - "The 2018 Brut Les Fortes Terres (100% Meunier) is a bold, explosive wine that shows a notably exuberant expression of Meunier. Ripe pear, spice, flowers and mint are nicely amplified. Even with minimal dosage (0.5 grams per liter), the 2018 is on the riper side. All this needs is more midpalate persistence, but it is still very nicely done. Disgorged: January 11, 2023"
100% Meunier from old vines in Les Fortes Terres in Cuisles. This has always been the top vineyard at the estate and produces Meuiner with fruit flavors that veer towards exotic hints of mandarin orange, papaya, guava and even litchi, alongside the more typical red-fruit flavors that one might expect from Meunier.
