2003 Champagne Moutard Cuvee Des 6 Cepages Brut

From Champagne's most obscure appellation comes a collection of idiosyncratic cuvees, produced by one of the last remaining family-run houses in Champagne. This delightful new discovery is your opportunity to take part in a very limited trial shipment. Be quick The Moutard-Diligent family can trace its roots in Champagne back to 1642 and their vinegrowing history spans centuries. The family first produced Champagne under its own name in the 1920s, and today manages 22 hectares of family owned vineyards in what is the least known of Champagnes four main districts, the Côte des Bar (also known as 'Aube'). Until 1927 when the Champagne appellation came into being, the Cote de Bar was thought to be an inferior sub district, bestowed with the somewhat misrepresentative title of "Champagne Deuxieme Zone". Yet many prestigious Grande Marque houses based in Reims and Epernay have used Cote de Bar grapes in their non vintage brands. UK wine writer, Oz Clarke remarks, "Nowadays there is less ill-informed opinion and winemakers from the big houses are increasingly open about the merits of the region... It is considered one of Champagnes most important sources of full flavoured, ripe Pinot grapes (its major varietal) and it accounts for around half of Champagnes supply of this varietal". While most Cote des Bar vignerons continue to send their wines north for blending by the biggest houses, others are beginning to bottle under their own labels. One of these is Moutard's owner/winemaker, François Moutard who remains an unashamed enthusiast for the region in which he was born. Apart from both buying and growing premium Chardonnay, Pinot Noir & Pinot Meunier fruit, Moutard's fascinating range employs the lesser known Champagne varietals, Arbanne, Petit Meslier and Pinot Blanc. While these varieties are permitted and were once largely planted around Aube, they're now rarely encountered in Champagne (less than .05% of total plantings), having fallen out of favour due to their sensitivity to frost, amongst other factors. Tasting Notes: This is a most unusual Champagne being made from six different grape varieties, three of them extremely rare, even in Champagne. The cepage (or blend) is composed of Arbanne, Petit Meslier, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. Impressive, creamy white mousse. Fine bead with very good persistence. Base wine of straw to pale gold, with straw hue. The nose is complex as is expected from the blend. Aroma of nougat, confectionary and yeast lees. Creamy palate texture. Developed flavour profile of yeast lees, toast, nougat and honeycomb - almost amontillado style. Aftertaste of toast, followed by creamy nougat. A rare and exotic gem in the Champagne crown. Extremely limited quantities.
Cellar 2-3 years (2011-2012)
Alc/Vol: 12.0%