The 2014 Les Longues Violes cuvée from Champagne Georges Laval is the estate's rarest and most emblematic expression. Grown on a legendary plot in Cumières that has never been treated with synthetic pesticides or chemical fertilizers, it embodies the absolute purity of a terroir that is unique in Champagne. Produced in very small quantities, this cuvée is distinguished by its depth, intensity, and remarkable mineral precision.
The production of Champagne Georges Laval Les Longues Violes 2014
This cuvée pays tribute to the "long journey" traced by generations of the Laval family, guided by their respect for life and the earth. Les Longues Violes is a blend of old Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir vines planted between 1947 and 1984 using mass selection.
- The Meunier (mass selection from 1947) brings noble fruitiness, texture, and energy.
- Pinot Noir (planted in 1964 and 1984) brings structure, tension, and integrity.
The terroir
The Les Longues Violes plot, located in Cumières (Premier Cru), is a viticultural treasure. Its soil has never been treated with synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or chemical fertilizers, a fact that is virtually unique in Champagne. Between 2003 and 2020, no fertilization was applied, giving way to exceptional biodiversity: varied flora, active fauna, and deeply living soils. Exposed on a hillside with clay-limestone soils, this terroir gives the wine a vibrant minerality and incomparable energy.
Vinification
The grapes are harvested by hand with extreme care. Pressing is carried out using the estate's traditional presses. Fermentation takes place naturally in oak barrels, without chaptalization. The wines are topped up weekly and aged patiently before being bottled for an exceptional 9 years of aging on racks. This edition was disgorged in March 2024. The cuvée is available as Brut Nature (0 g/L).
The 2014 vintage
The 2014 vintage is distinguished by a contrasting season, marked by a mild and humid summer followed by a bright late season. In Cumières, these conditions produced perfectly balanced grapes, with beautiful freshness and controlled ripeness. The Pinots reveal an elegant, vibrant and intensely mineral profile. After nine years of aging, this 2014 vintage displays remarkable depth, a silky texture and a long, pure and precise finish.
Tasting notes
Color
Soft golden yellow, brilliant, with fine, persistent bubbles announcing great precision.
Nose
Complex and deep: delicate red fruits, ripe citrus, fine brioche, and chalky minerality. The whole is remarkably pure.
Palate
Incisive attack. Lively acidity, fine texture and marked salinity. Aromas of ripe fruit, citrus zest and wet stone. Long, racy and drawn-out finish.
Pairing suggestions
A champagne for fine dining, vibrant and deep, which pairs perfectly with noble or iodine-rich dishes.
- Flat oysters
- Scallop carpaccio
- Langoustine tartare
- Butter-roasted lobster
- Turbot with champagne
- Free-range poultry with citrus fruits
- 36-month Comté cheese
- Roasted pear with honey
- Thin almond tart
Storage and serving
How to store this vintage
Store Les Longues Violes 2014 at 10–12°C in a dark, stable, and humid cellar. Thanks to its long aging and the power of its terroir, it will continue to evolve for 10 to 15 years, gaining depth, floral complexity, and smoky nuances.
Aging potential
Optimal window: 2024–2040. From 2024 to 2029, the wine expresses its chalky energy and aromatic precision. Between 2030 and 2035, it gains in amplitude: brioche, dried fruit, and a creamier texture. From 2036 onwards, the cuvée reveals a deep, salty and harmonious maturity, while retaining its tension.
How to serve Les Longues Violes 2014?
Serve at 10–11°C in a tulip glass or a slender universal glass. A few minutes of light aeration will allow the wine's full complexity to be released.
