Description & elaboration
The Les Monets 2020 cuvée from Elemart Robion is a Blanc de Noirs champagne sourced from a rare, confidential plot in the Vallée de l'Ardre. It is a champagne with notes of mandarin and ripe pear — lifted by a hint of toasted bread. On the palate, the texture is lush and rounded, with a fresh, mineral finish that makes it a natural companion at the dinner table. Crafted by Catherine and Thierry Robion, this champagne is produced in limited quantities from fifty-year-old vines.
The Terroir
The vines are rooted in the terroir of Lhéry. The subsoil is composed of limestone, which, being porous, ensures effective drainage and acts as a natural thermal regulator. The vineyard sits at an altitude ranging from 150 to 162 metres, with a south-west-facing exposure that captures the afternoon sun and encourages a slow, gradual ripening of the grapes.
The estate follows biodynamic farming principles, holding dual certification from Demeter and Ecocert. Natural ground cover between the rows preserves local wildlife.
Vinification
Catherine and Thierry Robion craft this Blanc de Noirs from 100% Meunier. Spontaneous fermentation is initiated by indigenous yeasts (naturally present on the grape skins), in enamelled tanks that preserve the freshness of the fruit. No sulphur is added during ageing.
Malolactic fermentation is carried out to soften the natural acidity of the clear musts. The wine then rests for eight months on its fine lees. Bottling took place in May 2021.
The 2020 vintage
The year 2020 saw a very early growing cycle in Champagne. Mild winter temperatures accelerated the spring awakening, resulting in flowering completed by the end of May. Summer was then long and dry, with consistently warm daytime temperatures across the Lhéry area.
The deep root systems of the old vines drew water directly from the limestone subsoil, preventing any stalling in ripeness. The small-berried grapes developed high concentration. The acidity of the juice remained lively right through to pressing, imparting a singular tension to the musts and a clean expression of yellow fruit.
Tasting notes
Appearance
The wine displays a golden hue with subtle copper highlights. Fine, regular bubbles rise briskly, forming a persistent ring at the surface of the glass.
Nose
The first nose delivers a precise, fruit-forward expression. With aeration, indulgent notes of mandarin and pear come into focus, followed by a delicate scent of toasted bread. Hints of gentle spice emerge after a few minutes of opening.
Palate
The attack unfolds with a lush, beautifully rounded texture. The mid-palate reveals the salinity of the limestone terroir, balanced by a precise acidity that tempers the richness of the Meunier. The finish lingers on a long, fruity and mineral thread, extended by a persistent freshness.
Food pairing suggestions
- White pudding with chanterelles
- Gougères with aged Comté
- Smoked salmon toasts
- Scallops with turmeric
- Roast pigeon with saffron
- Creamy Sardinian fregola
- Raw-milk Chaource
- Yellow peach tart
- Mandarin macarons
The Plus de Bulles expert's opinion
Why I love it
What won me over in this pure Meunier is the balance between generous, fruit-driven flesh and a remarkable saline tension. I loved its lush texture with notes of mirabelle plum, carried through by a chalky finish of exceptional purity.
My recommendation
Serve it at 8–10 °C in a wine glass to allow its vinosity to fully express itself. It pairs beautifully with a roast free-range chicken or a mushroom risotto.
Advice
How to store this champagne?
Plus de Bulles ships this bottle (75cl) in reinforced cartons specially designed for champagne transport. Once received, we recommend storing the bottle on its side, away from light — ideally in a cellar, or at the very least in a cool, not too dry environment with a relatively stable temperature.
Ageing potential
Meunier planted on limestone offers a highly evolving profile. Les Monets 2020 from Elemart Robion has an ageing potential of approximately sixteen years.
- Until 2028: the wine will retain its fruity, lively tension.
- From 2030: tertiary brioche aromas will begin to emerge.
- Around 2036: the cuvée will reach its peak, with notes of stewed fruit.
Serving suggestions
We recommend serving this wine at 9°C with a meal. Use a tall, gently curved stemmed glass, which concentrates the complex palette of the black grape variety. A few minutes of aeration will reveal the subtle aromas of the vintage.
A note about this cuvée
The Robion family keeps a close eye on every plot of the estate. They are particularly exploring the originality of petit meslier grown organically, reviving ancient local varieties that had fallen into obscurity. Enthusiasts often enjoy comparing the limestone terroirs of the region, setting the Ardre against the Montagne de Reims — an approach that reveals the direct influence of the soil on the grape.
Also worth discovering: this iconic cuvée from the Montagne de Reims.
