Launois continues to be one of our most popular grower-producers. Based in the Cotes des Blancs Grand Cru village of Mesnil, the gold standard for Chardonnay in Champagne. The "Veuve Clemence" is a Blanc de Blancs and customer favorite of those who like leesy, brioche-y champagne from extended lees aging, in this case 4 years! On top of that, the Clemence has a secret. It's really a vintage champagne, but it's unlabeled. Why? Because the Launois philosophy is that vintage champagne can only be 100% Grand Cru Chardonnay that is 100% from the mid-slope. While the Clemence is Grand Cru Chardonnay, it comes from the tops and bottoms of the hills - not the mid-slope. On the nose lemon-lime, saline, caramel, butterscotch, and candied fruit. On the palate, medium bodied, baked pastry crust, sourdough, lees, citrus, with a long creamy finish. If you're a fan of the Cuvee Reserve, you should definitely try the Clemence!

This Fruit pulled from the tops and bottoms of the slope, where ripeness lags as a result you get a very mineral Champagne with a high-acid finish that slices clean through. Precise and chalky. One of my favorites from Lanois!

Dry mineral nose. Palate is round and rich, yet still dry. Light bubbles dance on the palate. Four years on the lees give a beautiful finish.