"La Vigne d'Or" Brut Nature

2004
Tarlant
France
Champagne

100% Pinot Meunier. A blanc des noirs from a single parcel called "Pierre de Bellevue", planted in 1947 in Oeuilly by the Tarlants' paternal grandfather Georges on Sparnacian clay-limestone soils (a type specific to the Marne Valley). The fruit was hand-harvested and gently pressed; the juice was fermented with natural yeasts in Burgundy barrels. The wine was aged in barrel with no malolactic fermentation before bottling in May 2005. The bottles were aged sur lattes and disgorged in October 2015 with no dosage.

It is worth noting that the Tarlants distinguish between terroir wines and vintage wines. This can be a little tricky to discern at first. The terroir wines--Antan, Vigne d'Or, and Vigne Royale--feature those names prominently on the front label, while the vintage is is tucked on the back in tiny type. The vintage-focused bottlings--of which there is a single one made annually from a blend of parcels most reflective of the personality of the vintage--feature the vintage in large type on the front with the whimsical name in much smaller type below the vintage.

95 points
"If you like mature white Burgundy, then you’ll love this, even though it’s made from a grape variety that’s unknown in Burgundy. The stunning balance of mineral freshness, creaminess and savory character powers this rich, but bone-dry champagne across the rich palate. From over 65-year-old pinot meunier vines, picked on September 27th, 2004. Disgorged on March 26th, 2018. Drink or hold."
James Suckling,
James Suckling
December 2021
94 points
"The NV (2004) Brut Nature Blanc de Meunier La Vigne d’Or is another superb wine in this range. It offers up a compelling mélange of ripe pearl, lemon confit, almonds, white flowers and spice. Sixteen years on the lees has allowed notable complexity and texture to develop. This is such a gorgeous and inviting Champagne. Disgorged: June 5, 2021."
Antonio Galloni,
Vinous Media
May 2022
92+ points
"The white-golden colored 2004 Blanc de Meuniers La Vigne d'Or offers a clear and very fine, even mineral bouquet with flinty and ripe yet elegant fruit aromas. Firm and fresh on the palate, this is a pure and almost austere Meunier that was disgorged in February 2015. The wine reveals remarkable finesse and elegance but is still firm and austere, especially in the challenging finish that is as charming as an iron bar. I would cellar it for at least another four or five years. There is surely potential, at least in context with the 1999, 2002 and the 2003, which I tasted side by side with this 2004. The acidity (no malolactic fermentation here) still needs to be integrated. Tasted April 2018."
Stephan Reinhardt,
Wine Advocate
August 2018

SKU/Code: 
DB6171-04
Product Line: 
Wine
Sparkling
Varietal: 
Pinot Meunier
Farming Type: 
Sustainable