Wines of France/ Champagne / Le Mesnil-sur-Oger / Champagne Pierre Moncuit

Champagne Pierre Moncuit - Côte des Blancs

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Le-Mesnil-sur-Oger, Marne
Nicole and Yves Moncuit have guided this excellent domaine, located in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, since they took over from their father Pierre in 1977. Nicole, the winemaker and grower, and Yves, in charge of the commercial side, are the latest generation in a line of vignerons that stems back more than a century.
Moncuit's Old Vines
The Moncuit siblings own 15 hectares of vines surrounding Mesnil, mostly old vines that average 30 years of age. Their high percentage of old rootstock is a rarity in Champagne, where vines are routinely replanted once they reach their 25th birthday.

These old vines help to ideally convert what the chalky soils of Le Mesnil have to offer, concentrated fruit aromas entwined perfectly with captivating minerality and ideal acidity. The Moncuits also own 4 hectares of vines in the Côtes de Sézanne, whose grapes go into another cuvée called Hugues de Coulmet.
Steel Over Wood
Harvest is by hand and the wines are aged in stainless steel tanks. The Moncuits avoid using wood, as they feel it gets in the way of the village's hallmark delicacy and minerality. The wines normally go through malolactic, except in certain vintages when acidity is low—not often a problem in Le Mesnil. Most of their non-vintage releases actually come from one harvest, while the vintages are held back slightly longer and include grapes picked from some older and better exposed vineyard sites.
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Yves and Nicole Moncuit
Champagne Pierre Moncuit Blanc de Blancs “Hugues de Coulmet” Brut NV
100% Chardonnay from a single 5-hectare parcel (called Hugues de Coulmet) in Sézanne. Lower dosage of 8 grams/liter. Annual production of around 50,000 bottles. Fruit forward, with round, bright citrus flavors along with floral notes (jasmine).
Champagne Pierre Moncuit Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Brut NV
100% Chardonnay from the family's grand cru vineyards in Le Mesnil. Dosage is 9 grams/liter. Very mineraled release, where the terroir of Le Mesnil really comes through. We smell the chalk, then lurking underneath, plenty of concentrated fruit including grapefruit and an exotic pineapple note.
"The NV (2010) Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Delos is a little richer, rounder and creamier than the Hugues de Coulmet. Almond, lemon, oil, dried pears and flowers all flesh out in a super-inviting gorgeous wine loaded with depth and personality. A creamy, expressive finish rounds things out in this gorgeous, beautiful Champagne. This is a fabulous showing from Moncuit. This bottle was disgorged in April 2013. Dosage was 8 grams per liter. 93 points.”—Antonio Galloni, Vinous
"A complex, strikingly elegant and airy nose features notes of baked broad, yeast, pear, green apple and lovely spice notes. The refined character continues onto the absolutely delicious flavors that possess a moderately exuberant mousse before terminating in a dry, crisp and slightly austere finish that is clean, refreshing and persistent. This knockout is drinking perfectly now and is highly recommended. 93 points.”—Allen Meadows, Burghound
"From old vines in Le Mesnil, this wine’s scents of creamery butter lend luscious richness, but those malolactic notes only add to the length of flavor, without masking its precision. This chardonnay has a grand pallor, almost goth in its truffle-like earthiness and the feminine delicacy of its mousse. 92 points.”--Wine & Spirits

Champagne Pierre Moncuit Rosé Grand Cru Brut NV
75% Chardonnay from the family's grand cru holdings in Le Mesnil (vines that average 40+ years of age on chalk-based soils), with 25% still Pinot Noir sourced from grand cru sites in Ambonnay. Though a NV champagne, both the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes are all from a single vintage. All are harvested by hand, and vinified in stainless steel. Wine goes through full malolactic fermentation and aged up to 36 months on the lees. Approximately 1,000 cases produced.

"The NV (2015) Brut Rosé is absolutely gorgeous. Powerful and deep in the glass, the Rosé offers a super-appealing interplay of textural richness from the year married with the tension that makes the Moncuit Champagnes so distinctive. Cranberry, strawberry, chalk mineral and floral notes are beautifully delineated in this vibrant, finely sketched Rosé from Moncuit. The presence of the 25% Pinot from Bouzy is very clearly felt in the wine's weight and resonance. Dosage is 8 grams per liter. 92 points.”—Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Pierre Moncuit-Delos Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Brut 2006
Richly textured yet buoyant, and with subtle tartness and generous juiciness deployed to render each sip both invigorating and demanding of the next, this is certainly a great success for its vintage. 92 Points.”--The Wine Advocate
Pierre Moncuit-Delos Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs VV "Cuvée Nicole"
100% Chardonnay from two adjacent 90-year old vineyards in Le-Mesnil-sur-Oger. Always entirely single vintage, so only made in exceptional years. Aged only in stainless steel, after 100% maololactic fermentation and 10.5 years en tirage. 8 grams dosage.

​Once again some notes from The Wine Advocate: “The Moncuits’ 2004 Brut Blanc de Blancs Nicole is fascinatingly scented with roasted pumpkin and hints of caramel that re-emerge as salted caramel and nougat on the polished palate. At the same time, intimations of fresh lime and pineapple in the nose manifest themselves in lusciously juicy, downright vivacious profusion on the palate. The tang of candied lime rind and of pineapple close to the core; piquant yet soothing, sweetly suggestive nut creams; and saliva-liberating salinity joined to maritime alkalinity combine for a sensationally sustained finish. Follow this head-turner over the coming decade.  94 points.”