Moussé Fils, Champagne Brut Blanc de Noirs Perpetuelle L’Or d’Eugéne (NV) France

Located in the Vallee de la Marne in the village of Cuisles, Jonquery, Châtillon-sur-Marne

The Story: The Moussé family has been living in the Marne River Valley as growers from father to son since 1629 and as winemakers for 4 generations. They came to Cuisles in 1880, cultivating vines and selling the grapes to the large champagne houses. Born in 1896, Eugène Moussé first took the same step. Later in the 1920s, when he got tired of the ever-fluctuating grape price and fed up with his dependency on the whims of the buyers, he became one of the first two growers of the canton to start vinifying his own Champagne. The first bottling happened in 1923, and he started commercializing in 1926.

Sales were developing until the 1939 conflict. The 2nd World War endangers all Eugène’s hard work, as he tragically died in the Neuengamme concentration camp in 1945.

His wife, Suzanne, bravely carried on until their son Edmond had recovered and came back from the same camp where he was also deported.

In 1947 son Edmond came back from the Neuengamme concentration camp.   From then on, the Champagne Moussé Fils adventure took on a new lease of life. Edmond was a remarkable wine enthusiast and connoisseur. He not only preserved the family traditions, but also took the quality of the wine to a whole new level. Sadly, he got ill and passed away in 1990, which means he never got the chance to keep expanding the company with his son Jean Marc, who joined him on the estate.

Robert Parker 94 Points: “A blend of 80% Pinot Meunier and 20% Pinot Noir drawn from a solera established in 2003. Wafting from the glass with a deep and complex bouquet of golden orchard fruit, honeycomb, mirabelle plum, candied peel and fresh pastry, it’s medium to full-bodied, satiny and layered, with a rich and sapid core of fruit, lively acids and a delicate pinpoint mousse.”

Decanter 94 Points: “Coming from a perpetual reserve started in 2003, it’s a delicate but cleverly opened-up, youthful style of dried apple and pear, peach and blossom, succulent with soft cherry but snappily dry and light-footed. 20% Pinot Noir adds a little structure and weight. Cédric Moussé turns out some of the Marne Valley’s most refined, charming Meunier wines from the south-facing slopes of Cuisles on the north bank of the Marne River.”

Tasting Notes: The NV Brut Blanc de Noir L’Or d’Eugène Perpétuelle is 80% Meunier and 20% Pinot Noir based on 2018, plus reserve wines. Sweet, perfumed aromatics immediately convey a feeling of sensuality and exoticism. Mirabelle plum, rose petal, spice, and mint are all beautifully lifted. Soft, silky, and open-knit, the L’Or d’Eugene is a fabulous choice for drinking now and over the next handful of years. The fruit profile of the red grapes is front and center. Dosage is 3.5 grams per liter.