NV L’Hommée Premier Cru

Coming from different villages within the estate, the NV Champagne Premier Cru L'Hommee Extra Brut has a pale silver/straw color and is named after traditional agriculture of the past. Based on the 2020 vintage, with 20% coming from 2019, it consists of 60% Chardonnay with the rest Pinot Noir, with vinification fully done in oak but using different sizes and ages. Medium-bodied, it does not come across as oaky; it just subtly frames the wine, allowing its fruit to shine in this release. It’s approachable and delicate, featuring toast, preserved citrus, fresh pear, and a delicately pillowy mousse with a touch of spice on the finish. It’s very enjoyable now and should drink well over the next 10 years. 3 grams per liter dosage. The nose is somewhat shy initially, but after disgorging in November 2023, it becomes very expressive as it opens.

Organically farmed vineyards. 60% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir (according to the back label which doesn't say what the other 5% is) from Vrigny, Coulommes la Montage and Pargny des Reims. Long ageing on lees, unfined, unfiltered. Disgorged July 2022. Dosage 3 g/l. The L'Hommée is also an aria of fruit. An ode to the sweetness of the vineyard. But I love that the wine plays with deeper timbres and a touch of burnished oxidation in a clever, controlled, daring way. More dried fruit here than in the Heri-Hodie. Dried pears, guava peel, cinnamon and baked apple. And something else, too: salty fino notes and tangy Madeira notes. Edgy … lime marmalade and lime pickle. Delicious and very, very moreish. Just wonderful. Long with lots of bite and chew. (TC)

Based on the 2019 vintage and disgorged in October 2022, the latest NV Brut L'Hommée is a blend of 60% Chardonnay and 40% Pinot Noir. Wafting from the glass with aromas of pear, golden orchard fruit, white flowers, honeycomb and smoke, it's medium to full-bodied, ample and fleshy, with a deep core of fruit, terrific cut and a bright, saline finish.