Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

It has been a while since I’ve opened a Clemence. A favorite of mine & Sofia once upon a time. Still drink it, just not as often as I have moved to mostly Extra Brut. This is a Brut at 8g. Excellent Champagne & value at $44.99.

I believe there are only two resellers you can acquire it, one east coast & one west-K&L. You have to buy it pretty quickly once they get their container. It took several yrs building that relationship as Launois is careful about who they let resell their cuvées. In fact, it is even difficult to get in France. K&L has standing orders from some French citizens they ship back to France once they receive it. Kinda crazy.

The palate has nice mousse with lively acidity and micro oxygenation. Lime/lemon pulp w/ zest, stone fruits-white dominant, grapefruit w/ pith, bruised red/golden apples, Bosc pear, caramel, vanillin, some yeast, baguette crust, white spice, gritty, grey volcanics, chalky bits, limestone marl, oyster shells, yellow flowers/lilies, spring flowers with a little greens mixed in, very good acidy, well; made/balanced/tensioned with a smartly polished, elegant finish that lasts minutes and land on excellent minerality.

If you get to Champagne, visit. They have a huge museum of champagne/wine artifacts that date back to BC. My two pics do not show its enormity. They are about 35-40 minutes south of Reims.

They are the only producer I know of that places a rubber casket attached to the bottom of their corks. So, next to never do their cuvées have cork taint.

Enjoying it with the Jasper Hill Farms - Willoughby, buttery washed soft white cheese. Try with Rainbow Crisp crackers or warm baguette. Also, on apples with and w/o honey. — 6 months ago

Kenneth Kramme

9.1

Nice flavours of lemon, citrus, honey and brioche. Good balance of smooth and acidity. — 3 years ago

Sara Thomas

9.2

Delicious, toasty, clean, crisp. — 4 years ago

Adam Shaylor

9.1

Subtle hint of petrol, which some people dig, but to me seems a little out of place in a Champagne. Nevertheless, it’s cheaper than Veuve Cliquot and knocks the socks off most Proseccos. Ain’t nothing like the real thing, baby. — 6 years ago

John Geddes

9.3

Very fruity, great price. — 8 years ago

Eric Hahn

9.2

Delicious first foray into Michael White's Vaucluse — 9 years ago

Vinny Eng

9.4

Happy new year! 💜 — 6 months ago

Christian Fischer

9.1

A nice crisp start to an excellent dinner — 9 months ago

with Jonathan

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

#Remembrance #Love 6/25.

Sofia loved Penguins. We played w/ them in Dubai and she also skied indoor while I had a spot of Champagne and watched from a very big window. Only in Dubai. They have to build things of that nature…cus w/o them…just a bunch of sand. — 2 years ago

Joseph Barsky

9.4

NV. Love this. — 6 years ago

Peter Hladun

9.1

Cheers to a new decade! — 7 years ago

Илья Кузьмичев

9.3

Винотерра.
Клубника, шиповник, роза, минералы, гибискус, бергамот.
Среднее + тело и кислотность, высокая интенсивность, финиш ср+ — 7 years ago

Fauxakim

8.9

Cavaesque champagne with fresh acidity & some hard green apples. — 9 years ago

Brian S

9.0

Crisp green apple and pear. — 7 months ago

Vanessa

9.3

This Fourny Rosé de Saignée is simply delicious — offering harmonious notes of red berries, strawberries and cream, toast, biscuit, citrus blossom, with a creamy mousse balanced by youthful, vibrant fruit characteristics. Not to mention a deep pink hue!! 👀 So beautiful in every way! 🥂🩷 — 2 years ago

with Deked1

Deborah M

9.3

First stop during day trip to Champagne region. This is 100% Chardonnay that is aged in oak barrels and on lees for six years. Delicious. Loved meeting the winemaker (Winery in her family since 1922). — 4 years ago

Leigh Betancourt

9.0

Had on thanksgiving with Dustin - definitely better than veuve for price point — 6 years ago

Douglas Braun

9.1

Wow super sharp acidity apple fruit , toasty bread , a little oxidized character just super — 7 years ago

Conrad Green

9.2

Very bright, crisp and clear. Lovey fruit. Dazzling and crisp with lots of minerals and pretty. Still young, but this is a good wine. — 8 years ago

with Gregg and Rick

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

On the nose, green apple, lime, lemon, pineapple, honey, sea spray, beautiful chalky minerals and white & yellow lilies. It's reductive in style. Freshness is apparent as it hits the palate. Green apple, golden apple, ripe pineapple flesh, lemon, lime, underripe green melon, brioche, powdery, soft chalkiness, saline, volcanic minerals, yellow & white lilies and an amazing long finish that does fade. It's just simply delicious! This is $35 at K&L Wine Merchants and to me is the best value in Champagne. Hopefully, you are in a state they can ship. But, when they get their allocation, you had better act quick as it doesn't last but a short week. K&L has standing allocation orders from people in France as it's even difficult for Frenchmen to find in France. If you are buying Veuve Clicquot or similar for more $, you really need to buy & try the Launois cuvées. Photo tour of; their estate, Le Mesnil Sur Oger vineyard, tasting bar and their unbelievably large champagne museum. It a must appointment in your are in Épernay. Producer notes...the history of our family goes back to 1872 when the house of Launois Père et Fils was founded in the village of Le Mesnil-sur-Oger. Located on the prestigious Côte des Blancs, which is the home of the very best Chardonnay grapes. Their vineyards are all classified as "Grand Cru": The family's has passed down from fathers to son and daughter through eight generations, Séverine and Caroline Launois. All their grapes are hand harvested and processed with great care. — 9 years ago

with Jr