"Cuvée Louis Tarlant" Brut Nature (2004 + 2005)

France
Champagne
NV

50%Chardonnay/50% Pinot Noir. Created by the Tarlants' parents back in 1982, Cuvée Louis is named for Benoît’s and Melanie’s great-great-great grandfather. Louis was the first to bottle Tarlant estate wine (in 1928) and the one who planted this 0.9 hectare of selection massale Pinot Noir and Chardonnay back in 1946 to 1948. The lieu-dit is named "Les Crayons" in reference to its particularly chalky make-up and is a flat site near the Marne in the Tarlants' home village of Oeuilly. This low-lying, river-adjacent site yields what the Tarlants refer to as "a river wine", necessarily of fuller body and richer character. The vines are organically farmed and harvested by hand and the clusters very slowly and gently pressed. The juice ferments spontaneously with native yeasts in Burgundy barrels; the wine does not go through malolactic fermentation. "Louis" is almost always a multi-vintage wine, in this case 2004 and 2005, aged separately in barrel and blended before bottling, which in this case was in 2006. Disgorgement took place in 2022 with zero dosage. 

94 points
"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."
Audrey Frick,
Jeb Dunnuck
November 2023
94 points
"The 2005 Cuvée Louis Tarlant, equal parts Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, is a classic Tarlant Champagne aged for many years in the cellar and bottled with no dosage. This edition combines 2005 and 2004, two very different years that were aged separately and blended in bottle. The result is a powerful Champagne with terrific depth and perhaps some austerity that actually works well here. Apricot, hazelnut, dried flowers, chamomile and spice infuse the Louis Tarlant with notable intensity. This is gorgeous. It's the sort of Champagne best enjoyed over a leisurely meal. Disgorged in early 2022."
Antonio Galloni,
Vinous Media
November 2023
96 points
"This is showing deep and complex notes of beeswax, walnuts, soy, oyster shells and quince. Rich and delicious, with salty and nutty components at play throughout. Long and savory. Very sleek and soft bubbles. Phenolic. One to have with food. 50% pinot noir and 50% chardonnay, based on the 2005 and 2004 vintages. Disgorged June 2022. 0g/L dosage. Drink now."
James Suckling,
James Suckling
July 2023

SKU/Code: 
DB4504-04A
Product Line: 
Wine
Sparkling
Sparkling White
Varietal: 
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir
Farming Type: 
Organic