Le Gallais sits at the heart of the Marne Valley, a renowned spot for pinot meunier and pinot noir of intensity, power, and depth – and long used by all the great houses to provide structure and length to their cuvees. Charlotte Morgain currently runs this domaine, the fifth generation of her family to do so since 1927. 

The site for this cuvee is the Clos Boursault – a walled, 4 hectare plot that has been planted for centuries. Here, fractured limestone is mixed with deeply red clay – providing a balance of richness and minerality that translates to elegance and depth in the finished wine. The vines are grown under sustainable viticulture, and harvested by hand, to be brought to the nearby castle for fermentation. With primary in stainless steel, the wine then undergoes traditional malolactic fermentation in neutral barrels, before blending and bottling for aging on the lees. The blend for this particular cuvee includes some 50% of the domaine’s reserve wines – benefitting the overall complexity and nuance.

The blend is equal parts pinot meunier and pinot noir, with 10% chardonnay added for brightness and minerality. After the reserve wine is blended in, aging on the lees occurs in the underground cellars for four years, with a 6 g/liter dosage added following disgorgement. Gorgeously aromatic, the wine is generously fruity and developed – with toasty sourdough boules, baked Granny Smith apples, and deep, spiced cherry notes. The pinot quality is noticeable here, as red fruits take the lead, with plenty of spicy notes of clove and cinnamon as well. Toasted nuts and iron ore interweave on the finish, with a lingering smokiness that extends it all perfectly. Fun stuff indeed, and seriously compelling Champagne for that increasingly rare under $50 price! We got all we could, but y’all are righteously thirsty these days, and this may go the way of Saturday’s cider – selling out in a brief few hours! Grab a couple to last you through November and you won’t be sad about it… grab enough to last you into the New Year and you’ll be happier still!