
2021
Region
France › Champagne › Vallée de la Marne › Cuisles › Champagne AOC
Type
white · traditional · sparkling · extra-brut
Grapes
Chardonnay
Alcohol
12.15%
Volume
750 mL
Dosage
1.5 g/L
Disgorged
2024-02-26
On lees
24 months (2 years)
Zesty and inviting straight away: orange oil and lemon bonbons, peach yoghurt and custard, a line of lime and chalk dust, clean linen and spring flowers, a twist of tarragon. The mousse is fine, acidity bright; the palate feels round and creamy but never heavy, gliding rather than pushing. A faint raw edge reads as energy, with more chalk and lime pulling the finish taut and a subtle savoury flicker that keeps it moreish. Super orangey and ripe yet weightless.
L'Orage 2021 - "The Storm" - isn't just a name. It's what brought this wine into being. In a year of brutal losses, eleven top Champagne growers handed their Chardonnay to Cédric Moussé to help him get through. The result? A crisp, precise Champagne that saw full malo, was fermented and aged in stainless steel, and spent 24 months on lees.
Oh, this turned out unexpectedly good. Orange oil, peach yoghurt, lime, chalk, custard. Zesty aromas of lemon candies, linen, and fresh flowers. Bright acidity, round on the palate, and tastes much sweeter than it analytically is. There's a slight rawness to it, with more chalk and lime through the finish. Super orangey and ripe, but it floats rather than drags. Curious to see where this goes with time.