The 2021 Les Chênes cuvée from Champagne Georges Laval, presented here in magnum format, is a Blanc de Blancs Brut Nature of rare intensity, produced from a historic hillside in Cumières. The Chardonnay expresses an incisive minerality, vibrant energy, and an almost Burgundian depth, enhanced by the estate's pioneering biodynamic cultivation and long, precise aging.
The production of Champagne Georges Laval Les Chênes 2021
With this single-vineyard cuvée, Georges Laval seeks to reveal the sunny, chalky character of Les Chênes, a south-facing hillside where Chardonnay reaches great maturity while retaining a marked tension.
- Chardonnay (100%) brings tension, mineral purity, aromatic precision, and a vertical structure of great nobility.
The terroir
The Les Chênes vineyard is located in Cumières Premier Cru, on a steep south-facing hillside where the chalky limestone soils rest on very active Campanian chalk. This warm but windy terroir allows the Chardonnay to reach optimal maturity while retaining a deep acidic structure. Certified organic since 1971, the vines are carefully tended: living soils, natural grass cover, entirely manual labor, and deep rooting. This exemplary viticulture gives the wine a very clear mineral character.
Vinification
The grapes are pressed using the estate's traditional presses, then the juice ferments naturally in used oak barrels (8 months), without chaptalization, fining or filtration. The barrels are topped up weekly to preserve the aromatic precision. After racking, the wine rests for more than 36 months on slats, gaining energy and depth. No dosage is added (Brut Nature – 0 g/L), the signature of the estate. The magnum format further intensifies the freshness and longevity.
The 2021 vintage
The 2021 vintage was one of the most difficult of the decade: spring frost, repeated rains, exceptional mildew pressure, and very low yields. In Cumières, the Les Chênes vineyard benefited from ideal exposure and well-drained soil, limiting the impact on health. Ripening was late but with marked freshness. These particular conditions produced a Chardonnay with remarkable tension, chalky precision, and pure energy, perfectly reflected in this cuvée.
Tasting notes
Color
Light platinum, brilliant, animated by a fine, persistent mousse. A crystalline sparkle reminiscent of fresh chalk.
Nose
Pure and sharp: chalk, fresh mint, verbena, grapefruit and lime zest. Floral and citrus notes mingle with intense minerality.
Palate
Straightforward and energetic attack. Vibrant minerality, tapered structure reminiscent of chalk dissolved in lemon juice. Full-bodied, lively and deep. Long, dry, salty finish with great distinction.
Food pairing
This taut and vibrant Blanc de Blancs calls for pure, iodine-rich and slightly zesty cuisine that resonates with its salinity and mineral energy.
- Lime-marinated sea bream tartare
- Flat oysters, kaffir lime zest
- Smoked trout rillettes
- Smoked trout with buttermilk and lemon
- Steamed Arctic char, citron lemon
- Tagliatelle with mussels and saffron
- Lemon panna cotta
- Poached apple with fresh ginger
- Lemon verbena shortbread
Storage and serving
How to store this vintage
Store the 2021 Les Chênes magnum at 10–12°C in a dark, stable, and humid cellar (around 70% humidity). Thanks to its pronounced acidity and careful aging, it will develop notes of dried fruit, light honey, and weathered chalk. The magnum ensures a slower and more harmonious evolution than the bottle.
Aging potential
Aging potential: 12 to 18 years. From 2025 to 2032, the wine favors lemony tension and chalky minerality. Between 2033 and 2039, it gains depth: dried fruit, fresh butter, stony nuances. From 2040 onwards, it enters a noble, salty and complex maturity. The magnum format prolongs the evolution for an additional decade.
How to serve Les Chênes 2021?
We recommend serving Les Chênes 2021 at 10–11°C in a thin tulip glass or a universal glass such as Zalto. A few minutes of aeration will allow the menthol, citrus and chalky notes to open up without altering the precision of a Brut Nature.
