“L’Hommée”, 1er Cru, Extra Brut

“L’Hommée” is named for a pre-Napoleonic unit of measure used in Champagne and Lorraine, referring to the amount of land a person could work in one day. It is a blend of 40% Pinot Meunier, 40% Chardonnay and 20% Pinot Noir from the 1er cru villages of Vrigny and Pargny. The Chardonnay is fermented and aged in oak, while the Pinots are raised in steel, and the wine spends a lengthy five years on its lees before disgorgement. The current offering is a blend of two-thirds 2016 and one-third 2015 vintages, with a minimal dosage of 3 grams per liter. This is a Champagne deep in spirit and sumptuous, offering rich red fruits, classic brioche and vanilla-bean elements, and an incredibly concentrated, persistent, broad palate that rings with mineral energy.