Georges Laval's Cumières Rouge 2022 is an absolute rarity, a masterpiece produced in a limited edition of just 1,089 bottles. Vincent Laval has created a great still red wine from Champagne (AOC Coteaux Champenois), made from old Pinot Noir vines bathed in sunshine. Vinified in the traditional way with foot treading and benefiting from an exceptionally long aging period of nearly 30 months (first in barrels, then in vats), this is a vibrant, authentic wine deeply rooted in the terroir of Cumières.
The production of Cumières Rouge 2022
This wine is 100% Pinot Noir from old, low-yield vines, harvested at full maturity to ensure optimal aromatic concentration.
Traditional winemaking
The grapes are treated with the utmost respect: the bunches are crushed by foot, a gentle ancestral method that extracts color and tannins without harshness. Maceration lasts 14 days, punctuated by a dozen gentle pump-overs to oxygenate the juice.
Long Aging
Vincent Laval takes his time:
- 14 months in oak barrels: blending of free-run wine and press wine for structure.
- 15 months in vats: Blended in November 2023, the wine was left to "relax" until it was bottled on February 20, 2025.
The 2022 vintage
2022 was a sunny and generous year in Champagne. For this Coteaux Champenois, conditions were ideal, allowing the Pinot Noir grapes to reach perfect phenolic maturity, which is essential for producing a great red wine in this northern region.
Tasting notes
Color
The color is a deep, brilliant ruby, reflecting the beautiful extraction through crushing and the maturity of the vintage.
Nose
The nose is intense and complex. It exudes aromas of morello cherry, wild raspberry, and sweet spices, supported by slightly woody and noble earthy notes, typical of the Laval "style."
Palate
On the palate, the attack is silky. The wine is dense but not heavy, with fine, elegant tannins. The chalky minerality of Cumières brings freshness to the finish.
Food pairing
- Game pâté en croûte
- Homemade country terrine
- Beef carpaccio with pepper
- Matured rib of beef
- Lamb navarin
- Duck breast with cherries
- Brie de Meaux with truffles
- Farmhouse Saint-Nectaire
- Black cherry clafoutis
Storage and serving recommendations
How should this wine be stored?
This Coteaux Champenois is a great wine for aging. Store it horizontally at 12°C, away from light. Its long aging process gives it remarkable stability.
Aging potential
This wine is designed to be enjoyed for its fruitiness and natural vibrancy:
- 2025–2028: The wine expresses the richness of Pinot Noir and the warmth of the 2022 vintage (youthful phase).
- 2029–2033: The tannins become more mellow, with notes of spice and undergrowth appearing (Evolution phase).
- Beyond 2034: For lovers of great red wines that have been aged over time (complexity phase).
Serving suggestions
Please note, this is a red wine! Do not serve it chilled like champagne. The ideal temperature is 14°C to 16°C. Opening it an hour before serving (or decanting it) will allow it to open up fully.
Anecdote about this cuvée
Vincent Laval perpetuates forgotten techniques: foot treading. Far from being a folkloric practice, this technique is the gentlest way to treat the grapes. It avoids crushing the seeds (which would impart bitterness) and allows for the delicate extraction of color and aromas, which is essential for Pinot Noir in Champagne.
