Pierre Moncuit
The Moncuit family has been making superb champagne in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, in the heart of the Côte des Blancs, for more than 100 years. Pierre Moncuit had recognised the intrinsic quality of his terroir and, together with his wife Odile, strove to make the best possible champagnes from his grapes.
Nicole and Yves Moncuit are now in charge of the domaine and make complex, delicate wines from 20 hectares of Grand Cru vineyards. The Grand Cru Cuvée Pierre Moncuit-Delos NV has vibrant aromas of grapefruit and lemon, with a minerality which is typical of the Mesnil terroir. The palate is delicate and refined, with citrus fruit and yeasty notes. It is perfect as an aperitif. The vintage 2004 is an outstanding wine, truly representative of the perfect vintage conditions and expressing the full potential of the terroir and the grapes. It has citrus flavours with a streak of minerality, rich, toasty notes and a long, complex finish. The Grand Cru Brut Rosé, made from 75% Chardonnay from Le Mesnil and 25% Vin Rouge d’Ambonnay, has a pale salmon-pink colour with aromas of red fruits leading onto a delicate and multilayered palate, with red berry notes and toasty notes.
“This is very fine wine…Lovely cool, refreshing, confident, bone-dry classic Chardonnay nose with all the charm and breadth on the palate contributed by the fruit rather than added dosage. Great stuff. This is archetypal aperitif wine – 18/20” Jancis Robinson MW, www.jancisrobinson.co.uk