NV Tarlant Cuvee Louis (base 2002 & 2003)

From 70-year-old vines in the lieu-dit of Les Crayons in Tarlant’s home village of Oeuilly, the NV Champagne Cuvée Louis Tarlant Brut Nature is equal parts Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from 2005 and 2004. A rich golden hue, it’s generous on opening to aromas of butterscotch, golden apple, ginger, and preserved lemon. Ample on the palate, it offers a refined and elegant mousse, full-bodied richness, and a wonderfully broad and driving core of acidity. Long on the palate, it shows some evolution but is harmonious in quite an appealing way, This is an exceptional wine from Tarlant with a timely autumnal feel. Drink 2023-2033. Disgorged June 2022, with zero dosage.

Based on the vintages 1996 to (mainly) 2000, the NV Cuvée Louis Brut Nature (1996–2000) is ripe, intense and pure as well as intense on the tropical-scented nose. Intensely fruity but also salty on the palate, this is a mouth-filling and finessed Cuvée Louis with persistent salinity. The wine drinks very well today, but it will improve and gain complexity over the years. Disgorged in December 2017.

Disgorged in February 2019 and based on the 2002 and 2003 vintages, the NV Cuvée Louis Extra Brut derives from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grown in the lieu-dit Les Crayons and fermented in barrel. Offering up aromas of crisp orchard fruit, dried citrus rind, wheat toast and licorice, it's full-bodied, layered and enveloping, with considerable depth and complexity, concluding with a precise and saline finish. It's a lovely rendition of this serious bottling and comes warmly recommended.