Champagne Moutard Brut Grand Cuvee (375ml)

From Champagne's most obscure appellation comes a collection of idiosyncratic cuvees, produced by one of the last remaining family-run houses in Champagne. This delightful new discovery is your opportunity to take part in a very limited trial shipment. Be quick The Moutard-Diligent family can trace its roots in Champagne back to 1642 and their vinegrowing history spans centuries. The family first produced Champagne under its own name in the 1920s, and today manages 22 hectares of family owned vineyards in what is the least known of Champagnes four main districts, the Côte des Bar (also known as 'Aube'). Until 1927 when the Champagne appellation came into being, the Cote de Bar was thought to be an inferior sub district, bestowed with the somewhat misrepresentative title of "Champagne Deuxieme Zone". Yet many prestigious Grande Marque houses based in Reims and Epernay have used Cote de Bar grapes in their non vintage brands. UK wine writer, Oz Clarke remarks, "Nowadays there is less ill-informed opinion and winemakers from the big houses are increasingly open about the merits of the region... It is considered one of Champagnes most important sources of full flavoured, ripe Pinot grapes (its major varietal) and it accounts for around half of Champagnes supply of this varietal". While most Cote des Bar vignerons continue to send their wines north for blending by the biggest houses, others are beginning to bottle under their own labels. One of these is Moutard's owner/winemaker, François Moutard who remains an unashamed enthusiast for the region in which he was born. Apart from both buying and growing premium Chardonnay, Pinot Noir & Pinot Meunier fruit, Moutard's fascinating range employs the lesser known Champagne varietals, Arbanne, Petit Meslier and Pinot Blanc. While these varieties are permitted and were once largely planted around Aube, they're now rarely encountered in Champagne (less than .05% of total plantings), having fallen out of favour due to their sensitivity to frost, amongst other factors. Tasting Notes: An impressive N/V. Excellent creamy mousse with very fine bead, showing very good persistence. Straw colour base wine. Aroma of biscuit and yeast lees – just a touch restrained at first. The Champagne follows through to a generous full bodied creamy palate with nuances of biscuit, winter strawberry and just a touch of citrus on the back palate. Clean finish. Long biscuit aftertaste. Extremely limited quantities.
Cellar 2-3 years (2011-2012)
Alc/Vol: 12.0%