Les Fortes Terres' Extra Brut [Club Bottle]

Score

93

"Named for the lieu-dit in the village of Cuisles, the 2018 Champagne Les Fortes Terres Brut is entirely Meunier and, in fact, was the first entirely Meunier wine of the house. Elegant and pillowy, with crystalline saline accents throughout, it pours a medium-straw color and offers aromas of golden peaches, ripe raspberry, flinty wet stone, and cooling spearmint. Medium to full-bodied, the mousse is refined and accentuates the wine's mineral persistence, with a long, mouthwatering finish with notes of white pepper. It trades in the house's generally broad shoulders, with a sporty and refined structure, as well as lively tension throughout. For fans of these wines, it should be noted that while it doesn't offer the depth we are accustomed to seeing (possibly due to the high-yielding vintage), it's an exceptional offering from Cedric Mousse and his team, with the potential to age a decade or more. Drink 2025-2035. A mere 0.5 grams per liter of dosage, and disgorged January 2023."

Score

92

"The 2018 Brut Les Fortes Terres (100% Meunier) is a bold, explosive wine that shows a notably exuberant expression of Meunier. Ripe pear, spice, flowers and mint are nicely amplified. Even with minimal dosage (0.5 grams per liter), the 2018 is on the riper side. All this needs is more mid-palate persistence, but it is still very nicely done. Disgorged: January 11, 2023."

Score

92

"An expressive Champagne, with a lively, creamy mousse, revealing tangy, juicy ripe blackberry and green apple fruit layered with lemony acidity and accents of white blossoms, blanched almond and minerally chalk and brine. Zesty finish. Disgorged January 2023. Drink now through 2028. 242 cases imported."