- From one of the best locations in Le Mesnil
- 2013 is as great as 2008 on the Côte de Blancs
The lieu dit Les Coulmets like Chetillon lies on relatively flat chalky land that is planted to old vines about 40 years of age. It is vinified like the cuvee de reserve but bottle fermented four years and the dosage of 6g/l is lower. 2013 in Le Mesnil is a year of champagnes with wonderful fruit and excellent acidty. This champagne is excellent now but will develop and get better for several years. It has concentration and body, excellent structuce and a radiant energy and palate stainingly intense minerality.
Les Coulmets is increasingly at least at the same level as the Mesnillesime, which is partly matured in wooden barrels. 2013 is a year of late ripening, with the harvest extending into October. In large vineyards with favourable ripening conditions, 2013 is just as good as 2013. 2013 is a particularly great year for Chardonnay, which ripens earlier than Pinot Noir.