G. H. Mumm : RSRV Cuvée Lalou Brut 2008

Tasting characteristics and advice for the RSRV Cuvée Lalou Brut 2008 from G. H. Mumm

Tasting

Appearance

The color stands out for its bright, clear golden hue, enlivened by a fine, delicate effervescence.

Nose

The nose reveals remarkable aromatic complexity that unfolds gradually. Mineral, succulent notes appear first, followed by delicate pastry-like touches. The bouquet then opens onto pronounced aromas of candied lemon and pear marmalade, complemented by subtle vanilla and toasted nuances reminiscent of brioche. The whole offers supreme purity and elegance, with accents of lemon zest and oyster shell.

Palate

The attack is confident and complex, revealing power and structure. The wine then evolves toward an elegant roundness and remarkable freshness. The palate expresses flavors of butter and milky caramel alongside ripe yellow fruits, enhanced by complex notes of toast, vanilla, honey, and hazelnuts. The particularly long finish highlights the balance and complexity of this exceptional champagne.

Food and wine pairings

This champagne pairs beautifully with roasted lobster or young Comté. It also matches wonderfully with Mediterranean seafood served with creamy sauces, as well as lamb preparations with wild mushrooms. Its natural elegance makes it a sublime choice for festive, special occasions.

Serving and cellaring

The RSRV Cuvée Lalou Brut 2008 is ideally enjoyed between 8 and 10°C as an aperitif, a temperature that reveals its freshness and citrus notes. To accompany a meal, a temperature of up to 14°C will allow its aromas of candied fruit, honey, and nougat to fully express themselves.

An exceptional champagne born of great terroirs

The estate

Founded on March 1, 1827 by three brothers—Jacobus, Gottlieb, and Phillip Mumm—the House of G. H. Mumm now stands as the world’s fourth-largest champagne producer. Located in Reims, in the heart of the Champagne region, the House owns a 218-hectare estate, including 160 hectares classified as Grand Cru. Owned by Pernod Ricard since 2005, G. H. Mumm has been led since April 2024 by cellar master Yann Munier. The House is distinguished by its iconic red ribbon, the Cordon Rouge, symbol of its motto “Nec plus ultra: Only the best”. Committed to regenerative viticulture since 2020, it has eliminated the use of herbicides across its entire vineyard.

The vineyard

The RSRV Cuvée Lalou 2008 comes from seven of the House’s most prestigious and oldest plots: Les Hannepés, Les Crupots, Les Rochelles, Les Houles, Les Briquettes, Les Bionnes, and La Croix de Cramant. These Grand Cru plots are evenly split between the Montagne de Reims for Pinot Noir and the Côte des Blancs for Chardonnay. These exceptional terroirs, planted on chalky and limestone soils characteristic of Champagne, benefit from optimal exposure and remarkable natural drainage.

The vintage

The 2008 vintage is considered legendary in Champagne, combining exceptional quality with generous quantity. The year was marked by a long, cold winter, followed by abundant rainfall for most of the seasons. September brought distinctly milder conditions, providing perfect sanitary conditions that allowed the grapes to reach optimal ripeness. These conditions proved particularly favorable for Pinot Noir, producing grapes that combine power and elegance.

Winemaking and aging

Each of the seven plots selected for the RSRV Cuvée Lalou Brut 2008 was vinified separately. The grapes were pressed individually and then fermented in barrels. The final blend achieves a perfect balance of 50% Pinot Noir and 50% Chardonnay, harmonizing the strength of the Grand Cru Pinot Noir from the Montagne de Reims with the finesse of the Chardonnay from the Côte des Blancs. The champagne benefited from a minimum aging period of ten years in the House’s cellars before release.

Grape varieties

Pinot Noir (50%)
Chardonnay (50%)