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Price: $112.37

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Producer	Jean Laurent
Country	France
Region	Champagne
Varietal	Chardonnay
Vintage	2009
Sku	22666
Size	750ml

Winery Overview

Jean’s family has been growing wine in the village of Celles-sur-Ource for more than 1,000 years. The estate is situated in the Aube, an outlying Champagne district south of Marne that shares the same chalky soils as the heart of Champagne and Chablis.

Jean farms a total of 39 acres, split between Pinot Noir (30 acres) and Chardonnay (9 acres), with no Pinot Meunier. Though the Aube is unquestionably Pinot Noir territory and his flagship wine is the Blanc de Noirs, Jean has enjoyed spectacular success with his Blanc de Blancs, and is planting/purchasing more Chardonnay vines to meet demand.

The basic NV Bruts (Blanc de Noirs, Blanc de Blancs and Rosé) are typically blended from three vintages, and aged a minimum of 3 years in bottle. Vintage Champagnes are only produced in exceptional years and are generally released after 10 years of age. Jean also has a treasure cellar of older vintages and large format bottles that are disgorged and labeled to order. They are not inexpensive, but are an excellent option for those searching for a special jeroboam or the perfect anniversary bottle.

As a RM (“Recoltant Manipulant” – the French term for Grower’s Champagne), Jean makes Champagnes exclusively from his own vineyards. Many consumers have begun to favor Grower’s Champagne over the Grande Marques labels, which often offer high quality and a true house style, but little in the way of the expression of terroir, as the basic bruts are often blended from a wide range of Champagne districts. Jean Laurent is a prime example of how deeply traditional winemaking, estate-grown fruit, small batch vinification, and a fanatical devotion to quality can result in distinctive Champagnes of individuality and character.

Vineyard

39 acres total: 30 Pinot Noir, 9 Chardonnay. Vines average 20 years in age, with the oldest parcel 50+ years old. Jean makes Champagnes exclusively from his own vineyards.

Terroir

Situated in the Aube, an outlying Champagne district south of Marne that shares the same chalky soils as the heart of Champagne and Chablis.

Viticulture

Vines average 25 years in age, with the oldest parcel 60+ years old. Yields of 5 tons/acre. Sustainably‐grown. Jean carefully limits his vineyard treatments, uses solar panels to generate winery’s electricity, and uses reclaimed rainwater for winery operations. Certification in sustainable agriculture (HVE) is pending. Vintage bottlings are produced from select vineyard parcels.

Vinification

The house style at Champagne Laurent is characterized by single‐varietal bottlings (not blends), and stainless steel vinification and elevage (no oak) with full malolactic conversion. Pure Chardonnay, aged 30 months in tank prior to bottling and then spent 8 years on the lees sur latte and 2 years on the lees sur point prior to release. Bottle aging is takes place on cork (liege) which gives the wines some extra polish. Finished with 6‐8 g/l sugar unless no dosage is requested.