The Moncuit family have been a solid fixture in Le Mesnil sur Oger, the village that plays host to Krug and Salon, since 1890 and Robert Moncuit as the domaine is today was started in 1928. The firm remained as growers until 2000, when the 5th generation Pierre Moncuit (no relation of Pierre Moncuit Champagne) took over the reins and started to make Champagne under his great-grand fatherŐs name.
The estate has 8ha under vine, all based in the grand cru village of Le Mesnil, perhaps the most sought after of all the grand cru within the Cote des Blancs. Naturally the wines are 100% chardonnay and represent a true reflection of their terroir; taut acidity; citrus and hazelnut aromas; finesse and great length are all present. The fruit is hand harvested and sorted in the winery having travelled no more than a few hundred metres. Basket presses are used to crush the fruit and obtain the must, ensuring minimum solid extract is kept to a minimum which helps to ensure the wine is kept clean and unaffected by unwanted phenolics. The different wines are assembled, and older vintages blended to attain the quality desired. For the non vintage cuvees wines from 2000 to present vintages are added, thus adding complexity and importantly consistency. The vintage wines are produced only in the very best years.
Classic blanc de blancs style; scented nose of citrus zest, honey suckle hazelnut shell with a brioche note, denoting aged reserved wines and a soft but assertive mousse, persistent acidity and length and a wonderful lingering flavour of fruit that reaches far beyond the end of the sip.
Similar on the nose to the Brut however the nose shows more mineral and highlighted floral notes. The palate is noticeably drier in style, but the balance is still excellent due to the fruit concentration and evolved, soft creamy mousse. A wine made for consumption with food.
2002 was a splendid vintage for the Chardonnays of the Cote des Blanc. This wine echoes the NV styles but shows richer fruit on the nose, hazelnut and walnut shell, subtle hints of cep and brioche, lemon zest and honey and a touch of peach too as the wine relaxes in the glass. The palate suggests quality from the start and is fuller in flavour and complexity and has beautifully melded fruit which makes for early drinking or keeping for 5 or 6 years.