Everything about the teeny-tiny Georges Laval Champagne house screams authenticity and artisanship—and even the most cursory spin around the internet confirms that the market has rewarded them for it. The Laval Champagnes are clearly some of the most sought-after wines (of any type) among the wine cognoscenti, and I’ve got to say, they live up to the hype:
The two-pack we’re offering today is a case study in meticulously hand-crafted, cellar-worthy Champagne. Working with just 2.5 hectares of vines in the Premier Cru village of Cumières (at the southern end of Champagne’s Montagne de Reims), Vincent Laval crafts Champagnes that are almost unclassifiable in terms of their power, focus, and persistence. They are kindred spirits to the greatest white (and red Burgundies) and they are as sure a bet for long cellar aging as any wine in the world. Today’s two-pack includes Laval’s two “non-dosage” wines, both bone-dry, electric, and incredibly unique. If you are a Champagne geek, this is a no-brainer—however, due to limited quantities, we can only offer one 2-pack per customer.
Although the Laval family has grown grapes in Cumières for generations, it wasn’t until 1971 that the (late) Georges Laval began releasing estate-bottled wines. Georges’ son, Vincent, took over in 1996, with a hands-on approach to the family’s small parcel in this Premier Cru-designated village. Among the many notable features of the Laval wines is the family’s longtime commitment to organic viticulture—they’ve been practicing organic since the 1970s, and have long been certified by Ecocert. The ‘base” wines for the Laval cuvées are fermented in oak barrels, and their grapes are typically harvested later than those of their neighbors—rather than pick grapes early (to preserve acidity) and then add sugar via ‘chaptalization’ (to bring potential alcohol up), Laval aims for perfectly ripe fruit. So much of the Champagne discussion revolves around sugar (whether it’s the practice of chaptalization or the employment of the corrective dosage right before the wine’s final corking). Laval’s aim is to redirect the discussion toward place of origin and varietal character. We’ve mentioned many times here how the greatest Champagnes feel ‘vinous’ (wine-like). These are some of the most vinous Champagnes you’ll ever taste.
Included in this 2-Pack are Laval’s Brut Nature (i.e. “no-dosage”), which is a blend of 50% Chardonnay and 25% each Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, and his Brut Nature Rosé, which is just the “black” grapes in relatively equal proportion. They are both wines that are as tightly coiled as a rattlesnake, ready to strike on the first sip. Both will age 10-20 years with ease. This is simply some of the most bespoke Champagne you can get your hands on, a wine experience you’ll remember vividly. It will elevate just about anything you eat, but I’d submit that the level of acid and minerality here will complement a ‘black-and-blue’ steak as well as any tannic red. It’s special stuff, and I’m thrilled to be able to share it. Enjoy!
