Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

It has been a while since I’ve opened a Clemence. A favorite of mine & Sofia once upon a time. Still drink it, just not as often as I have moved to mostly Extra Brut. This is a Brut at 8g. Excellent Champagne & value at $44.99.

I believe there are only two resellers you can acquire it, one east coast & one west-K&L. You have to buy it pretty quickly once they get their container. It took several yrs building that relationship as Launois is careful about who they let resell their cuvées. In fact, it is even difficult to get in France. K&L has standing orders from some French citizens they ship back to France once they receive it. Kinda crazy.

The palate has nice mousse with lively acidity and micro oxygenation. Lime/lemon pulp w/ zest, stone fruits-white dominant, grapefruit w/ pith, bruised red/golden apples, Bosc pear, caramel, vanillin, some yeast, baguette crust, white spice, gritty, grey volcanics, chalky bits, limestone marl, oyster shells, yellow flowers/lilies, spring flowers with a little greens mixed in, very good acidy, well; made/balanced/tensioned with a smartly polished, elegant finish that lasts minutes and land on excellent minerality.

If you get to Champagne, visit. They have a huge museum of champagne/wine artifacts that date back to BC. My two pics do not show its enormity. They are about 35-40 minutes south of Reims.

They are the only producer I know of that places a rubber casket attached to the bottom of their corks. So, next to never do their cuvées have cork taint.

Enjoying it with the Jasper Hill Farms - Willoughby, buttery washed soft white cheese. Try with Rainbow Crisp crackers or warm baguette. Also, on apples with and w/o honey. — 12 days ago

Mario Zillner

9.3

Along with Egly-Ouriet, simply the best entry-level grower champ on the market (IMO). This is 70% base vintage, and 30% reserve wines. Blend is 33/33/33% Pinot/Chard/Meunière. 30+ months on lees… damn delicious. Disgorgement: June 2023 / Dosage: 6 gr/l — a year ago

Willie Carter

9.0

Again it’s a champagne from Cédric Moussé, one of the Masters of Meunier. He’s almost single-handedly put Cuisles on the wine map. The L’Or D’Eugéne is a perfect introduction to his style.

Medium gold with fast paced perlage and an attractive bouquet. Black cherries and pretty flowers combine with chalk and herbs. In the mouth, it’s racy and vivacious. Sexy and a bit thrilling with zippy acidity. 80/20 Pinot Meunier/Pinot Noir from a perpetual reserve with an Extra Brut dosage of 2 g/l.

I’ve always wanted to drink this over a few days. To really let it breathe and mature in the glass. To really let it set and enjoy it over time. But I can’t. It’s just too damn good. — 2 years ago

Dylan Thomas

9.2

Xmas champs get’n it started a little late — a month ago

Manj Gunawardane

9.2

Great rec from K&L when I went in search of a Louis Roederer Collection — 6 months ago

Billy L.

9.3

Excellent @ $49 K&L Cheers 🍾👍🏻👏🏻 — 10 months ago

Michael Younkins

9.5

Delicious and smooth, low tannins, raspberry notes on the tongue. — 2 years ago

Mackenzie Svee

9.2

full, fruity, and ripe, with notes of apple, lime, orange zest, and a hint of toast. — 2 months ago

with Katie

Vanessa

9.4

Depth & personality abound as this wine gives a sensory voice to the left bank (‘rive gauche’, south side) of the Marne River, which meanders its way through the Vallée de la Marne region of Champagne…

It’s not very common to find a mono cru (single village) from this part of Champagne, so it was exciting to sip & explore it with intention🥂

It was made exclusively from Meunier (the king of the Marne Valley), grown on old vines (54+ years in age) in the village of Mareuil le Port, made into a blend of the ‘Maisoncelle’ & ‘La Côte aux Châtaigners’ vineyards, in particular.

As a vintage wine, it aged 36 months (disgorged by hand in November 2023), adopting quintessential autolytic notes of pastry, graham cracker pie crust, bread dough, almond paste, nougat, and toasted hazelnut.

The aromas & flavors have notably autumnal characteristics resembling apple cider, cinnamon apple crumble, red apple skin, baked pear, nutmeg, cardamom, white blossom, lemon zest, fruit cake, & cherry preserves. These are balanced by a chalky, mineral spine of wet stones, saline, & oyster shell.

Despite its confectionery qualities, this wine is totally dry; it’s extra brut with only 2 g/l of dosage (added sugar) with a mouth-watering acidity, adding lift, cutting through the creamy mousse, with a persistent & polished finish, performing a series of pirouettes before its final plié.

Cheers to wines with soul & authenticity! — 6 months ago

with Deked1

Byron Hewett

9.4

Love this!! Disgorged Spring 2021, Extra Brut. 3g/L, lower pressure, more wine like. I visited them a year ago. What a great small producer! — 3 years ago