Les Monts Fournois Cote Mesnil Oger Grand Cru 2017 (750ML)

90 VM

The 2017 Champagne Cote, from Mesnil sur Oger and Oger, is bright and finely cut, with lovely citrus, floral and almond character. This is a strict, austere style, and yet all the elements are very nicely balanced. I would prefer to drink the 2017 over the next handful of years. Dosage is 3.4 grams per liter. Disgorged: November 2022. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

Brothers Raphaël and Vincent Bérêche have decided to focus on their core holdings and wines. As part of this change, they spun out their vineyards in Les Monts Fournois and created a new estate that is being run by their cousin, Juliette Alips, whose resume includes stints at G.D. Vajra, Roederer and Château Latour.

The Monts Fournois range will encompass Coteaux Champenois and Champagne. I was able to taste the first vintages of the Coteaux for this report, but it will be some years before the Champagnes are released. During this transition period to a fully estate winery, Les Monts Fournois will also market the Cote series of négociant Champagnes the Bérêche brothers introduced a few years ago. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media 

Le Mesnil-sur-Oger is located south, southeast of Épernay. The vineyard areas cover 433.8 ha, of which the majority is planted in Chardonnay (432 ha) with very small plantings of Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. This Grand Cru is located on the Côte des Blancs slope, consisting of mainly hillside vineyards. Champagnes produced from vineyards in Mesnil-sur-Oger are quite mineral driven and firm in style. They are “complete” expressions and certainly quite age-worthy. Le Mesnil-sur-Oger was promoted from Premier Cru to Grand Cru status in 1985 alongside Chouilly, Oiry, Oger, and Verzy.

A fine and elegant wine that benefits from poor and chalky soil, that offers a highly intense and precise wine. The lees bring a slightly creamy texture and aromas of lemon zest, wicker, and perfume. Almost Chablis-like in style, this wine is slender and the palate is outstanding with immediate pleasure. This 2017 has great elegance, brought by the security of the Mesnil sur Oger terroir.