{"product_id":"georges-laval-les-chenes-cumieres-1er-cru-brut-nature-2020-white","title":"Georges Laval Les Chênes Cumières 1er Cru Brut Nature 2020 white","description":"\u003cp\u003eGeorges Laval Les Chênes Cumières 1er Cru Brut Nature 2019 is a rare and highly sought-after grower Champagne crafted entirely from Chardonnay in the premier cru village of Cumières. This is a precise, terroir-driven Blanc de Blancs with zero dosage, made for those who appreciate purity, energy, and finesse over opulence. The single-vineyard “Les Chênes” bottling has become one of Laval’s most coveted cuvées, showcasing just how vivid and expressive Chardonnay from Cumières can be.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn the glass, the 2019 Les Chênes shows a luminous, pale gold color with a fine, persistent bead and a delicate, creamy mousse. The nose is immediately complex and compelling, opening with notes of ripe citrus, lemon zest, and green apple, layered with white flowers, chalk, and subtle smoke. With air, deeper nuances emerge: fresh almond, brioche, crushed oyster shell, and a faint hint of spice from its time in oak.\n\nOn the palate, this is tensile, precise, and deeply mineral, with a superb balance between ripe fruit and cool, saline structure. Flavors of Meyer lemon, crunchy pear, and mirabelle plum are framed by chalky grip and a vibrant, linear acidity that gives the wine a crystalline feel. The Brut Nature style emphasizes the terroir, so there’s no sweetness to round the edges—just pure, focused, beautifully delineated Champagne. The finish is long, saline, and mouthwatering, with lingering citrus peel and subtle hazelnut overtones. While already compelling, this 2019 vintage has the structure to age gracefully for at least 8–12 years from release, gaining further complexity, creaminess, and savory depth with time in bottle.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduction\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLes Chênes is sourced from a single, old-vine Chardonnay parcel in the premier cru village of Cumières, perched on steep, south- and southeast-facing slopes overlooking the Marne. The soils here are a classic mix of chalk, clay, and limestone, which lend both ripeness and a pronounced mineral drive to the wine. Georges Laval works his tiny estate according to organic and biodynamic principles, with meticulous vineyard care and very low yields. Harvest is done entirely by hand at optimal ripeness to preserve freshness and aromatic precision. In the cellar, fermentation typically takes place with native yeasts, often in small oak barrels, and the wine is aged on its lees to build texture and complexity. No chaptalization or dosage is added, and sulfur is kept to a minimum, resulting in a Brut Nature Champagne that is as transparent an expression of site and season as possible. Extended time on lees in bottle before disgorgement helps knit together the wine’s structure and enhance its fine, persistent mousse.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFood \u0026amp; Serving\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis cuvée is a superb partner for refined, ingredient-focused cuisine where texture and minerality shine. Think oysters on the half shell, scallop crudo, sashimi, caviar, or simply prepared white fish with beurre blanc. It also pairs beautifully with goat’s cheese, young Comté, sushi, tempura, and delicate vegetable dishes such as asparagus or fennel. Serve well-chilled but not icy, ideally at 9–11°C (48–52°F), to allow the aromas and texture to open. A gentle decant in a carafe, or simply pouring the first glass and giving the bottle 10–15 minutes in the glass, can help the wine unfurl its more complex, nutty and floral nuances.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProducer\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGeorges Laval is one of Champagne’s most respected grower-producers, based in the village of Cumières on the right bank of the Marne. The Laval family has been growing vines here since the late 19th century, but it is under Georges and his son Vincent that the domaine has gained a cult following among Champagne enthusiasts. Working just a few hectares of old vines, Laval was an early pioneer of organic and low-intervention viticulture in the region, long before it became fashionable. All the wines are produced in very small quantities, with fastidious work in both vineyard and cellar, and an unwavering focus on expressing each parcel’s character. Today, Georges Laval is widely regarded as one of the benchmarks for terroir-driven, grower Champagne in Cumières, with single-vineyard cuvées like Les Chênes showcasing the estate’s precision, purity, and dedication to quality.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Georges Laval","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54252741787985,"sku":"VC-9136","price":272.06,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0874\/0614\/9969\/files\/bild_georges_laval_les_chenes_cumieres_1er_cru_brut_nature_2020_1280x1280_e66c4b24-646e-4670-9476-70fc7a1bca8a.jpg?v=1783446475","url":"https:\/\/bottlehero.com\/products\/georges-laval-les-chenes-cumieres-1er-cru-brut-nature-2020-white","provider":"Bottle Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}