Champagne Lancelot-Pienne

Champagne Region

The Lancelot family have been champagne growers for over 120 years. At the beginning of the 1900's, Jean Baptiste Lancelot, in addition to growing his own vines in the town of Cramant, was also the head winemaker at Mumm. He gave his passion to his son Jean who, after working at a number of champagne houses, began bottling champagne from his own vineyards. Just after the second world war, he began commercializing these bottles.

One of Jean's sons, Albert, after studying winemaking, married Bridgitte Pienne, whose family were also owners of some prized terrain in Chouilly. In 1967, they combined their properties and created the A. Lancelot Pienne House.

In 1995, their son Gilles, a trained enologist and, in fact, a professor at the local university, entered the society. He has continued to improve the quality of their champagnes.

The domaine is located in the village of Cramant, one of the best terroirs in the Côtes de Blancs. They own 5.5 hectares (13.6 acres) of vines and produce about 45,000 bottles (3,750 cases) annually.

Cuvée Sélection: This cuvée is taken from Premier and Grand Cru vineyards. It is composed of 50% Pinot Meunier, 35% Chardonnay and 15% Pinot Noir. The fruit is hand harvested and aging takes place in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks. The wine spends a total of five years in cuve and bottle before its final disgourgement. 20% reserve wine is used to insure regularity. Tasting notes from the San Francisco Chronicle's reviews of Brut Grower Champagnes December 2005: "Nose of freshly baked pie crust, spice, caramel apple and notes of tobacco; similar flavors with vanilla and pear; rich and creamy. Excellent and a panel favorite."

Cuvée Marie-Lancelot 1996 Grand Cru: Made with 100% Chardonnay from old vines selected from the commune of Cramant. Disgourged in 2004. Plenty of fine bubbles, giving off brilliant aromas of white flowers, exotic fruit and citrus fruits; very open for a 1996 but with good underlying acidity.

Want to buy?

E-mail us for info at contact@charlesnealselections.com

Shipping laws vary from state to state. To best serve you, please send us your location and we will send you information on the nearest retail source.

Visit us online at www.charlesnealselections.com