La Vigne d'Or Brut Nature Blanc de Meuniers 2009

A single-varietal Pinot Meunier from Champagne, bottled as Brut Nature and therefore without any dosage. What's missing can't hide anything: the 2009 vintage rests on acidity, extract and salinity. Meunier is often regarded in Champagne as a blending grape, but here it carries a bottle entirely on its own.

Champagne Tarlant is based in Œuilly and farms 14 hectares split across more than 55 parcels. The estate dates back to 1687 and is now run by the twelfth generation, Benoît and Mélanie Tarlant. The vines for this Champagne were planted in 1947, an age that keeps yields low and berries concentrated. The family history includes Louis Tarlant, who in 1911, as mayor of Œuilly, organised the growers' resistance and in 1928 bottled the estate's first own cuvée.

100% Pinot Meunier. In the vineyard, Benoît Tarlant farms organically, without herbicides or synthetic pesticides, following biodynamic principles. The cellar follows the same logic: fermentation with wild yeasts in barrel, no malolactic fermentation, no filtration. Since the late 1970s the house has bottled without dosage, a practice that now accounts for over 90% of production. 12.0% ABV.

Deep golden yellow in the glass, with a fine, persistent bead. On the nose, mirabelle plum, ripe apple, brioche and dried herbs. On the palate, quince jelly and nut kernel, carried by lively acidity and a chalky grip that leaves a long, dry finish.

Blanc de Meuniers from vines planted in 1947. Brut Nature means no sugar is added after the second fermentation. The estate does not pursue official organic certification.