92 pts Vinous (Galloni)
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.

100% Pinot Meunier
Aged Under Cork (not crown cap)
Extra-Brut: 0.5 g/L Dosage

FEATURES
Les Fortes Terres was the very first 100% Meunier of the house, in 2005. We chose this piece of terroir because each year, during blind tastings, the quality of the wines from this lieu-dit made an impact on everyone. The power and tension of this wine are expressing the identity of this unique soil. In 2018, harvest began on September 6th.

TERROIR AND SOILS

• Village of Cuisles
• Only soils composed of green clays over limestone marls.
• Cuisles : 4 plots from the lieu-dit “Les Fortes Terres”
• For hundreds of years, the very steep slopes in the middle of the hill were impacted by the erosion, which is why we have very shallow soils. Here, you can find green clay at just a few centimeters’ deep. The grapes are very concentrated and we feel detect fruits, especially white peach aromas.

VINIFICATION

• Grapes hand-picked in market gardening crates
• Malolactic fermentation
• Micro-vinification in reduction in small stainless steel tanks
• Disage: 0.5g/l
• Age sur latte for 48 months disgorged 1/11/23 & 3/16/23 for some bottles

PRIOR VINTAGE SCORES

VM93 (2017 vintage) The 2017 Extra-Brut Spécial Club Les Fortes Terres is terrific. Rich and expansive in feel, the 2017 offers up a beguiling mix of lemon confit, dried flowers, mint, spice and light tropical accents. This exotic, quirky Meunier has a ton to offer. It's beautifully done from start to finish. The 2017 is not super-complex, but it is hugely delicious. Dosage is 0.5 grams per liter. Disgorged: March 1, 2022.

WA94 (2016 vintage) The 2016 Extra-Brut Special Club Lieu-Dit Les Fortes Terres is showing beautifully, wafting from the glass with scents of orange oil, freshly baked bread, crisp Anjou pear and fresh mint. Medium to full-bodied, elegant and seamless, with a fleshy core of pure, vibrant fruit and a pillowy mousse, it concludes with a bright, saline finish. It's a terrific effort.