Champagne Lelarge-Pugeot ‘Les Meuniers de Clémence’ Premier Cru Extra Brut 2014

Location: France, Champagne, Montagne de Reims

Winemaker: Dominique Lelarge & Dominique Pugeot

Grapes: Pinot Meunier

Soil: Chalk, limestone, clay loam, sand

Winemaking: Aged for 6 months in tank before bottling. Aged for 7 years on the lees, in the bottle

Dosage: 2 g/L

From the Importer Super Glou: ‘Les Meuniers de Clémence’ The Pinot Meunier grape represents about 60% of Lelarge-Pugeot's total plantings, and this is a rare example of a champagne made solely with Pinot Meunier grapes. It is a beautifully balanced dry wine with intense fruitiness. Crisp minerality and creamy textures serve as the backbone for tart green apple and lime juice, with hints of almond.

Lelarge-Pugeot is an eighth-generation winery in the Premier Cru village of Vrigny on the rolling slopes of the Montagne de Reims (about 15 minutes west of Reims). It is a real family operation, helmed by the two parents, Dominique and Dominique, and supported by their kids, one of whom is our good friend Clémence.

The family’s 8.7 hectares of vineyards, which are planted mostly with Pinot Meunier, face northward, offering some protection from the effects of global wiwarming, though Clémence is quick to note that they can now make red wines for the first time in the history of Champagne. The domaine, which has been certified organic since 2014 and Demeter-certified biodynamic since 2017, is comprised of 42 distinct parcels where Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay are grown at elevations of 400 ft.

The wines of Lelarge-Pugeot are bright and full of pizzazz, and the family is producing some electric juice—including Nature et Non Dosé, their no sulfur/no dosage cuvée. Truly remarkable fizz all around.