Simon Rion

Larmes de Meuniers 2022 | Bottle 75cl

Description

Description & elaboration

The Larmes de Meuniers 2022 cuvée from Simon Rion is a grower Champagne born from a single clay-rich plot in the village of Courmas. It is a champagne with notes of ripe yellow fruits — quince, candied apple — lifted by gentle spice. On the palate, its ample, fleshy texture makes it a natural companion at the gastronomic table. Produced in only 793 bottles, this exclusive cuvée bears the signature of a family estate of human scale.

The Terroir

The vines of the lieu-dit Noron flourish in the Vallée de la Marne, on a south-west facing slope that captures the afternoon sun and encourages full ripeness. The soil, dominated by deep clays, acts as a natural water reserve: the vines planted in 1975 send their roots deep to feed themselves, naturally regulating yields and concentrating matter in every berry.

The viticulture practised on this terroir is HVE certified. The Noron slope benefits from constant airflow that dries the bunches after morning rain and prevents the development of botrytis. Ground cover between the rows limits erosion of the clay soil.

The winemaking

This Blanc de Noirs is crafted from 100% Pinot Meunier. The must ferments entirely in oak barrels at low temperature, then rests eleven months on full lees with frequent manual stirring. This extended contact with wood enriches the wine with well-integrated woody notes and lends it a smooth, supple texture. Malolactic fermentation (the conversion of sharp acidity into roundness) takes place naturally under wood.

The wine then undergoes thirty months of ageing on lees. After disgorgement (the expulsion of the yeast sediment accumulated in the neck), the dosage is set at 1 g/L, classifying this wine as Extra-Brut. The blend draws exclusively on the 2022 harvest. The final production also includes 40 magnums. The expedition liqueur comes from reserve wines, and post-disgorgement resting ensures the full integration of the low dosage.

The 2022 vintage

The 2022 growing season stands out for exceptional sunshine and a hot summer across the entire Champagne region. Spring water reserves supported the vines throughout the growing cycle, with no significant water stress. On the deep clays of Courmas, the Pinot Meunier developed a marked skin concentration and musts with well-preserved acidity.

The cool nights of August proved decisive: the daily temperature contrast locked in aromatic precursors and maintained the natural tension that balances the richness of this sunny vintage. The high natural sugar content made chaptalization unnecessary, delivering a fleshy texture underpinned by a beautiful length.

Tasting notes

• Colour

  The Larmes de Meuniers 2022 cuvée displays a deep golden hue. Subtle copper glints enliven the heart of the glass. This colour reflects the long wood ageing of the base wine.

• Nose

  The nose opens on an opulent, warming bouquet. Indulgent notes of quince and ripe apple dominate from the first pour. With aeration, mellow aromas of toasted brioche and gentle spice emerge.

• Palate

  The attack reveals a smooth, velvety texture. The tactile structure coats the tongue with a fleshy richness. A long, saline finish brings a refreshing lift to the whole.

Food pairing suggestions

Aperitif bites

• Gougères with aged comté
• Iberian bellota ham
• Toasts with roasted porcini

Main courses

• Poultry with morel mushrooms
• Pan-fried veal sweetbreads
• Roast pigeon with figs

Cheese and Desserts

• Comté aged 24 months
• Old Parmesan
• Mirabelle plum tart

The Plus de Bulles expert's opinion

Advice

How to store this champagne?

Plus de Bulles ships this bottle in reinforced cartons specially designed for transporting champagne. Upon receipt, 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 place with a relatively stable temperature.

Ageing potential

Pinot Meunier vinified under wood offers remarkable ageing potential. The Larmes de Meuniers 2022 cuvée from Simon Rion will evolve positively for 12 to 15 years.

• Until 2032: the bottle retains its original tension, with notes of yellow stone fruit and ripe fruit.
• From 2033: the wine develops tertiary aromas of toasted almond and honey.
• Around 2037: the 2022 vintage reveals aromas of stewed fruit and gentle spice.

Serving recommendations

Serve this champagne at 11 degrees in a wide tulip glass that encourages oxygenation. A ten-minute decant will soften the texture and dispel any transient reduction. Avoid excessive cold, which would mask the aromas, and do not leave the bottle in an ice bucket for too long.

A note about this cuvée

The name Larmes de Meuniers evokes winter pruning: the vine weeps in spring, before budbreak. Highlighting these old vines consolidates a singular clay terroir — an agricultural philosophy also found in the flagship cuvée of the Simon Rion estate.

Ageing on lees remains a minority practice in the Champagne appellation. Simon Rion accompanies fermentation without artificial intervention, allowing the Pinot Meunier to fully express its capacity for ageing — a black grape variety that here demonstrates the full depth of its range.

Through its winemaking and aromatic profile, this cuvée is not without resemblance to another singular expression of Pinot Meunier.