Jacques Lorent Brut 2012 (750ML)

92 W&S

Clean and pure, this is made by a cooperative based in the Marne Valley village of Mardeuil, with 250 member growers. It’s presented in a luscious, oxidative style with white-cherry flavors, an apple-butter richness and touches of smoky earth. The wine’s stamina had the panel suggesting food ideas from roast pheasant to sturgeon pan-roasted with chanterelles and jamón Iberico. - Wine & Spirits 

We encountered this impressive Champagne while visiting one of our importers’ warehouses on a tasting trip. Whether you prefer champagne in the reductive style (think Egly Ouriet, Ruinart, Salon) or in the oxidative style (think Bollinger, Krug, Jacquesson), this may well go down as your smartest purchase of the year in the category. Upon popping the cork we found a a tart, crisp, oxidative wine, with subtle notes of with Meyer lemon that's high-toned and refreshing. In other words, a bubbly that’s crowd-pleasing and interesting for wine geeks!

A cooperative of 250 small growers working on just a few acres acres in the Marne Valley farmed the grapes that went into Jacques Lorent’s 2012 Champagne. A blend of 45% Pinot Noir, 45% Chardonnay and 10% Pinot Meunier, it’s evolved elegantly in the decade since it was harvested. As has been well documented by now, 2012 is vintage you can’t have enough of in your cellar - a year rated 5 out of 5 stars by Decanter - and this wine is an outstanding example of the year’s success.

With Champagne prices creeping ever-upward, this vintage bottling came as a welcome find at a savings we are pleased to pass on to you - don’t miss out!