Pierre Moncuit, 'Nicole Moncuit' Vieilles Vignes, Blanc de Blancs, Grand Cru Brut, Champagne, France, 2005

Overview of the Wine
In 1889 Pierre Moncuit and his wife, Odile Moncuit-Delos, established the house of Champagne Pierre Moncuit. Since 1977, Nicole Moncuit has managed the vineyards and made the wine, while her brother Yves has managed the sales. More recently, Nicole’s daughter Valérie has been actively assisting in the cellar. Mesnil lies smack in the middle of the Côte des Blancs and is its most celebrated village. The wines of Mesnil are known above all for steely elegance and minerality, and those from chez Pierre Moncuit—which has some of the oldest vines along the entire Côte—superbly reflect these qualities. The house farms 25 parcels totaling 37 acres in the grand cru-rated vineyards surrounding the village. These vineyards face east as they climb the Côte’s chalk-infused flank. The majority of Moncuit’s vines are 45-years or older, and two parcels, used in the best years for the vintage-dated Cuvée Nicole Moncuit, are just shy of their centennial birthday. In a region known for replanting vines before they reach their third decade to ensure vigorous production, these old vines represent a rare patrimony. Another unusual bent in the Moncuit way of doing things is that no reserve wine is used in its production. All of its wines are made from a single year, regardless if they are labeled non-vintage or labeled with a vintage. The non-vintage wines spend a minimum of three years on their lees before disgorgement; the vintage wines spend between six and eight years on their lees. After disgorgement, the former age another three months before release while the latter spend another six months in the house’s cellar before going to market. In order to keep focus on purity and minerality, no wood is used during the élevage. Malolactic fermentation is the norm here. At bottling, the usual dosage for the classic range is normally 6-7 grams of sugar per liter. About the bottles themselves: a lavender capsule signifies a good vintage; a gold capsule signifies an exceptional vintage (this as judged by Nicole and Valérie). And the crest on the label is a reference to Nicole and Yves’ father, who was an officer in the French Air Force.

Grape / Blend
Chardonnay

Origin
Champagne, France

Tasting Notes 
Cuvée Nicolle is named for Nicole Moncuit, the owner/winemaker, and is one of the best! 100% Chardonnay from the family's tiny parcel of 100+ year old vines from within the famed Grand Cru of Les Chétillons in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger. Produced only in the very top vintages, the Cuvée Nicole features the best elements of the Moncuit style with an intensity and weight that sets it apart in the lineup. It is rich and deeply expressive with the inherent tension expected from this Mesnil-centric house. Dosage of about 6 grams. Cuvée Nicole has between eight and nine years of aging on the lees in the cellar.

94 Points - Vinous
The 2005 Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Cuvée Nicole is a very impressive wine, especially within the context of the year. Here, too, 100-year-old vines yield a Champagne of real power, depth and resonance, with none of the awkward notes that afflict so many other Champagnes in this vintage. Deep, vinous and super-expressive, the 2005 has so much to offer. Orange peel, hazelnut, spice, vanillin, mint and apricot infuse the 2005 with tons of character. The 7 grams of dosage works beautifully here. This is one of the very best Champagnes I have ever tasted from Moncuit. The 2005 just oozes with Mesnil class. Readers will find a Champagne that delivers superb quality for the price for a wine that offers tons of complexity and pedigree. Dosage: 7 gr/L. Disgorged: December, 2016.

Product size: 750ml