Moussé Fils, 'Eugene', Blanc de Noirs Extra Brut, Champagne, France, NV

Overview of the Wine
A grower since 1750, Champagne Famille Moussé sits in the village of Cuisles, in a valley perpendicular to the Marne river. This village is know for a unique terroir in Champagne: a thick band of green clay that sits under sand and various other soil types. This special clay, known as “Illite” and is used in cosmetics, gives the Meunier at this benchmark domaine an almost Chardonnay-like quality, with a lift and texture not often seen with this variety.

There are few vignerons who are as committed to environmental sustainability as 4th generation winemaker Cédric Moussé. Under his leadership, the winery has undergone a complete overhaul with the goal of reducing its carbon footprint. His has solar panels that power the cellar, tasting room, and 2 houses on the property, while geothermal energy moderates the temperature throughout the winery. Pigs, chickens and sheep roam the vines, serving as natural stewards as they turn the soil and feast on weeds. Everything at the domaine is done with an eye towards maximum sustainability. Harvesting at the estate is done exclusively in very small crates (a painstaking, labor-intensive process that protects the grapes from being crushed prematurely) and only stainless steel is used in the cellar. Through his elite-level farming and winemaking, Cédric is able to produce Meunier with a class and elegance that is rarely seen in Champagne, and has been rewarded with a reputation as one of the finest growers in the entire region.

Organic.

Grape / Blend
80% Meunier, 20% Pinot Noir

Origin
Champagne, France

Winemaker's Tasting Notes
Lovely and refined aromas of golden orchard fruit, honeycomb, mirabelle plum, candied citrus peel and fresh pastry. On the palate, it is elegant, full-bodied, and focused, with a fine mousse and excellent minerality. Medium to full-bodied, satiny and layered, with a rich and sapid core of fruit, lively acidity and a lengthy finish.

94 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Drawing from a perpetual reserve spanning the 2003–2018 vintages, the new NV Brut Blanc de Noirs L'Or d'Eugène was disgorged in November 2020 with 0.5 grams per liter dosage. Deep and complex, it unwinds to reveal aromas of pear, honeycomb, fresh pastry, paraffin wax and confit citrus, followed by a medium to full-bodied, broad and fleshy palate that's seamless and concentrated, girdled by lively acids and complemented by a saline finish.

92 Points - Decanter
Coming from a perpetual reserve started in 2003, it's a delicate but cleverly opened-up, youthful style of dried apple and pear, peach and blossom, succulent with soft cherry but snappily dry and light-footed. 20% Pinot Noir adds a little structure and weight. Cédric Moussé turns out some of the Marne Valley's most refined, charming Meunier wines from the south-facing slopes of Cuisles on the north bank of the Marne river.

92 Points - Jeb Dunnuck
Made from 80% Meunier and the rest Pinot Noir, the NV Champagne Blanc De Noirs Eugene is a perpetual reserve blend spanning from 2002 to 2021. It pours a rich golden straw color and offers a commanding presence in its notes of graham cracker spice, orange peel, ginger, and wild cherry. Pillowy and rounded, the palate is supple and juicy with red fruit and a saline lift off the finish. This beautiful wine is singing now, and it should hold up nicely over the coming 8-10 years.

Product Size: 750ml