Pierre Moncuit

Clos Andrea 2016 | Bottle 75cl

Description

The 2016 Clos Andrea cuvée from Pierre Moncuit Champagne is the estate’s latest release. It showcases a hidden gem of the Côte des Blancs.

Hailed from a tiny, walled plot in Vertus, this "Nature" cuvée marks the first vintage of a new chapter for the House. Aged under cork, this Blanc de Blancs expresses the absolute purity of Chardonnay with rare smoothness and aromatic depth. A limited-edition cuvée produced in a run of just 2,000 bottles, combining the mineral integrity of the terroir with the noble patina of time.

The Making of Clos Andrea

This cuvée breaks with the House’s traditional codes to explore a winemaking process closer to the fruit’s original energy.

Precision Work Without Artifice

• Terroir: 100% Chardonnay from the "Clos," a small Premier Cru parcel located in Vertus.
• Fermentation: Malolactic fermentation is not carried out in order to preserve a crystalline tension and liveliness.
• Second Fermentation: A specific tirage at just 5 bars of pressure (compared to the usual 6) to achieve a finer, creamier, and more delicate bubble.
• Aging: Extended aging in the cellar under cork, promoting a slow exchange with oxygen and the development of complex aromas.
• Dosage: Nature (Zero dosage); no sugar is added at disgorgement to allow the wine to express itself in its purest form.

The Vertus terroir, classified as Premier Cru on the Côte des Blancs, rests on chalky soils. It imparts to the Chardonnay of Clos Andrea a briny character, vibrant minerality, and exceptional freshness.

The 2016 Vintage

The year 2016 demanded constant patience and vigilance. After a challenging spring marked by frost, the radiant summer yielded grapes of remarkable concentration. In the Vertus terroir, this vintage stands out for its exemplary saline character. Maison Pierre Moncuit’s decision to present this wine as a “Nature” version highlights the perfect ripeness achieved at harvest, offering a superb balance between natural acidity and the fruit’s full-bodied texture.

Tasting notes for the 2016 Clos Andrea Pierre Moncuit

• Color

  The color is luminous, a pale gold with silvery highlights. The effervescence is of great distinction, carried by fine, silky bubbles born of pressure carefully maintained at 5 bars.

• Nose

  The nose is an invitation to complexity. It opens with notes of almond blossoms and tart white fruits (yellow plum, pineapple). Aging under cork lends a noble dimension to the toasted aromas of roasted hazelnut and light honey.

• Palate

  The attack is crisp, marked by a vibrant minerality. The palate unfolds with a fascinating velvety smoothness, balanced by a persistent saline tension. The finish is long, pure, and intensely elegant.

Food Pairing Suggestions

Appetizers

• Scallop carpaccio
• Ocean-farmed oysters in jelly
• Sea bass sashimi with ginger

Main Courses

• Grilled lobster with lightly salted butter
• Roasted turbot fillet with almonds
• Braised veal sweetbreads in a reduced sauce

Cheeses and Desserts

• 24-month-aged Comté for its saltiness
• Aged Parmigiano Reggiano
• Thin hazelnut tart

Storage and serving recommendations

Aging potential

This 2016 vintage is built on exceptional tension that promises a bright future:

• 2026–2028: A phase of mineral purity, ideal for appreciating the energy of the "Nature."
• 2029–2034: The texture becomes rounder, and toasted and brioche notes intensify with extended aging.
• Beyond: For lovers of mature champagnes, the wine will evolve toward nuances of dried fruit and roasted notes.

Serving recommendations

Do not serve this champagne too cold, so as not to stifle its complex aromas. A temperature of 10°C to 12°C is recommended. A flared white wine glass is preferable to a flute to allow the wine to breathe.

The story behind the cuvée: Andrea’s Legacy

The name of this cuvée pays homage to the family legacy. Founded by Pierre, the House saw Nicole Moncuit develop this expertise before passing it on to Valérie Charpentier. It was Andrea, Valérie’s son and representative of the fourth generation, who inspired the name of this cuvée. Clos Andrea thus symbolizes the link between respect for tradition (aging under cork) and the drive toward modernity (Nature dosage) of a passionate family.