Jerome & Agnes Prevost La Closerie Grand Cru LC21 NV
Jérôme Prévost is a prominent figure in the world of Champagne production, known for his dedication to creating intense, terroir-specific Champagnes. He is part of a small group of producers, often referred to as the "Champagne Renegades," who prioritize crafting vinous Champagnes that reflect the unique characteristics of their vineyards. Inheriting a two-hectare parcel known as Les Béguines from his grandmother, Jérôme focuses on cultivating Pinot Meunier, with additional vines of Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Chardonnay interspersed throughout the parcel. He is dedicated to producing terroir-transparent bottlings primarily dedicated to one grape and one vintage, with a tendency to blend in 10-15% reserve wines. Jérôme's winemaking journey began when he took over the vineyard in 1987, transitioning from renting out the vines to selling grapes directly to négociants. His experience working at Jacques Selosse and the guidance of Anselme Selosse influenced his winemaking techniques, leading to a focus on low yields and chemical-free farming. The winemaking process involves hand-harvesting all grapes, fermenting with indigenous yeasts using a mix of used barriques and demi-muids, and a unique disgorgement process about 16 months after bottling. Jérôme finishes the Champagnes with no dosage and minimal sulfur to preserve the wine's purity. Notably, Jérôme also produces miniscule quantities of a Rose Champagne called Fac-simile, along with occasional experimental cuvées that showcase his innovative spirit. Despite the technical details, Jérôme's approach to winemaking is driven by a desire to create wines that bring people together in the name of deliciousness, reflecting his generous and artistic nature.
The Jerome & Agnes Prevost La Closerie Grand Cru LC21 NV represents a new and predictably rare release from Prévost, making its debut with the 2019 vintage. The 2021 base marks the inclusion of fruit from Jérôme and Agnès’ two minute plots of Grand Cru Le Mesnil, totaling 0.28 hectares. Acquired in spring 2021, these mass-selection vines were planted in the 1960s on hard Lutetian limestone, the same stone used for the cathedrals of Reims and Paris.
The négoce portion of the blend consists of Chardonnay from Le Mesnil (Côte des Blancs) and Pinot Noir from Puisieulx, located at the northern end of the Montagne de Reims, just north of Rilly-la-Montagne and Verzenay. Both of these sites are tended by a couple whom Jérôme describes as "lovely, young and talented" growers, adhering to a viticulture charter that prioritizes cultivated soils, low yields and full ripeness, with the harvest date determined in consultation with Prévost.
The Finer Details
Style - Champagne
Varietal - Pinot Meunier 90%, Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay
Country - France
Region - Champagne
Vintage - LC 21, Disgorged September 2023
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 12.5%