Product Information:
The Laval’s take of an entry level village cuvée. The tip of the iceberg. Produced from fruit from across their plots in Cumiéres. This is a blend 55% Pinot Noir, 10% Pinot Meunier and 35% Chardonnay, raised in neutral oak and disgorged after 18 months in bottle. Ripe of fruit, a generosity to the palate yet bone dry, incredibly complex, notes of citrus and chalky mineral textures and a long precise finish.
Maker:
Four generations of the Laval family have been tending vines in Champagne and they have been producing estate bottled wines since the 1970’s. Georges Laval, Vincent’s father, was the first to begin bottling wines at the domaine in 1971. Vincent officially joined the family business in 1991 after finishing his studies, by 1996 he officially took the helm of the estate. Georges had set the standard for the quality of the wines coming from this tiny estate and Vincent has faithfully taken over the reins, without changing much. Taking note from a report written by Jacques Cousteau, Georges recognised the importance of farming organically very early on and accepted the responsibility of farming organically since 1971. The domaine was one of the first to make the conversion to organics, and for many years was one of only a handful of producers to farm in this manner.
Philosophy:
The Laval’s have about 2.5 hectares of vineyard holdings that they farm organically, certified Ecocert, along with some biodynamic practices. The Laval's go above and beyond to avoid any chemical overspray from neighbouring plots, in an effort to protect their soils & vines they go about treating about 30 additional acres of vines with their own organic treatments.
They were even able to get all aerial treatment companies to distance their overhead treatments more than 15m from any of the families organic plots. They go as far as to trade parcels with other growers in order to have all their plots in specific lieu dits be all one cohesive healthy parcel as opposed to separate parcels throughout a given vineyard site. Above and beyond remember? All vineyard work is done by hand between just 4 people, including Vincent. Plowing is done by horse in all of their plots. All of their organic treatments and sprays are used only when necessary and with as little as possible.
Nose - Quince, Red-Tone Fruits, Nutty-Calvados
A hint of fresh red berries, underscored by subtle citrus notes and a hint of white peach.
Palate - Lemony Tang, Freshness, Nervy
An explosion of flavour; a lively acidity combined with the complexity of ripe Pinot Noir fruit.
Finish - Fine Tension, Long, Good Grip
This wine sizzles with nervy energy, layers of red fruit perfume unravels with time the glass.
The NV Brut Nature Cumières (2017) makes me feel like I am in the cellar, tasting with Vincent Laval. A Champagne of tremendous purity and nuance, the NV captures all of the flavour intensity, drive and nuance that make the wines of Cumières so alluring. This release, based on 2017, sizzles with nervy energy. Time in the glass brings out layers of perfume and a whole range of red-toned fruits. In a word: terrific. Disgorged: February 21, 2020. Drink 2020-2028. - Antoni Galloni, Vinous.
The Finer Details
Style - Champagne
Varietal - 55% Pinot Noir, 10% Pinot Meunier, 35% Chardonnay
Country - France
Region - Champagne
Vintage - Non Vintage
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 12%
Closure - Cork
