Notes:

Gérard Loriot Brut NV The non-vintage Brut bottling from Gérard Loriot is interesting in that it is made from one hundred percent pinot meunier, which is something one seldom encounters from the Champagne region, where this grape has been generally considered a secondary grape in comparison to the two workhorses of chardonnay and pinot noir. The current release from Monsieur Loriot is a simply stunning bottle of Brut NV that is long on finesse, complexity and elegance, as it jumps from the glass in an exotic and perfumed mélange of lilacs, lavender, bread fruit, delicate notes of apple, leesy tones and a lovely base of soil. On the palate the wine is full-bodied, crisp and dancing, with fine mid-palate intensity, impressive complexity, refined mousse, bright acids and excellent length and grip on the very elegant finish. Very classy juice. 2010-2020+. John Gilman 93.