Product Information:
Georges Laval's Cumieres Rose Brut Nature NV is now produced by his son Vincent. This Champagne bursts from the glass, showing remarkable energy, tension and focus. Sweet floral and mint notes add an upper register to a wine that is first and foremost about minerality. This a 50/50 blend of Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier; zero dosage; picked as whole bunches and carefully crushed by foot with a healthy amount of skin contact leading to a bold, vibrant red colour. Expect a rich, layered, detailed rosé unlike anything else you will have encountered.
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 - Vibrant Red Berries, White Flowers, Anise
Vibrant aromas of fresh red berries and citrus fruits are complemented by suggestions of white flowers, anise and chalky minerals.
Palate - Fleshy, Broad, Crackling Blood Orange
Fleshy and broad but decidedly dry, offering crackling blood orange and bitter quince flavors that stretch out and deepen with air.
Finish - Focused, Persistent Finish, Iodine
Clings with excellent focus and tenacity on the strikingly persistent finish, which leaves notes of orange pith and iodine behind.
A 50/50 blend of Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier; zero dosage; disgorged on October 31, 2013; L0311): Bright orange. Vibrant aromas of fresh red berries and citrus fruits are complemented by suggestions of white flowers, anise and chalky minerals. Fleshy and broad but decidedly dry, offering crackling blood orange and bitter quince flavors that stretch out and deepen with air. Clings with excellent focus and tenacity on the strikingly persistent finish, which leaves notes of orange pith and iodine behind. - Vinous, 93 Points.
The Finer Details
Style - Champagne
Varietal - 50% Pinot Noir, 50% Pinot Meunier
Country - France
Region - Champagne
Vintage - Non Vintage
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 13%
Closure - Cork