Lamiable Cuvee 'Les Meslaines' Brut Grand Cru 2006 Champagne                    Photo by Johnny

Grower (RM)

100% Pinot Noir, single vineyard 'Les Meslaines' in Grand Cru Tours-sur-Marne; vines planted in 1950 and 1955; first fermentation in steel vats with MLF carried out

'Beer?'  That's almost the unanimous question raised by my friends when I showed them this bottle. Well, I can understand their concerns that such label design may look a bit too un-champagne-like and more beer-like...But after tasting, I would no longer need persuade anyone of its excellent value as a serious single-vineyard Blanc de Noirs champagne!

Tasted twice in June, 2012, with quite striking bottle variations. But both bottles offer very interesting and satisfying drinking experience.

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First bottle tasted in early June:

Dark flavored, oily -- excellent typicity as Blanc de Noirs. Voluptuous, surprisingly ripe (on the verge of overdone) for such a young vintage... 

*Second bottle tasted in end June:

Pale lemon robe. Fine and persistent beads.

Initial nose of yellow fruit confit and fig, then a umami tone of minerality emerges, combined with a touch of tobacco.

A dollop of cream on the attack. Very sensual.

With time in the glass, racy character takes over, with bright, dense yellow fruits (peach, apricot and fig) on the entry and then umami mineral tone gaining strength from mid palate onto the finish. The richness of fruit is anchored by mineral depth and lifted by light, elegant acidity. Overall, it feels generous and energetic.

10 minutes after uncorking, it acquires a grand oiliness on the nose. And racy minerality pervades the palate. Lovely!