JEAN MICHEL La Petite Mulotte Blanc De Blancs Champagne 2017

Champagne Jean Michel La Petite Mulotte 2017 - Blanc de Blancs from Selected Plots

Champagne Jean Michel La Petite Mulotte 2017 is a vintage cuvée produced exclusively from a rigorous selection of specific plots. This 100% Chardonnay expresses the character of a unique terroir through precise winemaking and an Extra-Brut dosage of 4g/L.

Terroir and Expertise: The expression of a unique place

The La Petite Mulotte cuvée takes its name from a specific locality, reflecting Maison Jean Michel’s desire to isolate the geological expression of a single plot. This single-vineyard Blanc de Blancs is rooted in a substrate where limestone and clay interact to offer a mineral tension characteristic of the Moussy area.

The technical process for this 2017 vintage follows a rigorous winemaking protocol:

• Pressing and fermentation: The grapes are hand-harvested at optimal ripeness. The must is then separated for fermentation divided equally: 50% in oak barrels and 50% in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats.
• Organic structure: To preserve the fruit’s natural acidity and freshness, malolactic fermentation is halted.
• Ageing: The wine is aged on fine lees for a period of 6 months.
• Natural method: True to an approach that respects the product, the cuvée undergoes no artificial chilling or filtration prior to bottling, ensuring the integrity of its texture and aromas.

Sensory Profile: Technical Analysis

The organoleptic examination of this Vintage Chardonnay reveals a complexity shaped by the absence of malolactic fermentation and the controlled use of oak.

Appearance: Visually, it presents a pale gold hue, supported by fine, regular effervescence, reflecting controlled ageing in the cellar.

Nose: The initial nose is marked by a strong mineral character. Upon aeration, technical notes of stone fruit (vine peach) combine with subtle nuances of light oak and brioche, resulting from barrel ageing.

Palate: The attack is clean and precise. The mid-palate reveals a dense texture, balanced between the liveliness of the vintage and the creaminess imparted by ageing on lees. The persistent finish is characterised by noble bitterness and a remarkable saline tension.

Serving Advice and Food Pairings

To fully appreciate its components, this Jean Michel La Petite Mulotte 2017 Champagne should be served at a constant temperature of between 10°C and 12°C. Serving it too cold would mask the complexity of the oak ageing.

In terms of food pairing, its Extra-Brut profile and taut structure make it a wine capable of accompanying specific dishes:

• Scallop carpaccio with hazelnut oil.
• Roasted turbot or firm-fleshed line-caught fish.
• Seafood dishes with a shellfish jus reduction.
• Hard-rind cheeses (24-month matured Comté).

Why choose this cuvée?

Champagne Jean Michel La Petite Mulotte 2017 stands out for its uncompromising approach. The combination of oak ageing, the absence of malolactic fermentation and a low dosage (4g/L) produces a wine of character, intended for lovers of cuvée de vignerons who prioritise technical structure and terroir expression.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is a single-vineyard selection in Champagne? It involves isolating the grapes from a single vineyard (in this case, La Petite Mulotte) to capture the unique identity of that soil, without blending with other terroirs.
• Why is malolactic fermentation halted? This technical choice preserves the grape’s natural malic acid, giving the wine greater tension and enhanced ageing potential.
• What is the benefit of the Extra-Brut dosage? With just 4g/L of added sugar, this terroir-driven Champagne allows the purity of the Chardonnay and the minerality of the 2017 vintage to express themselves fully.
• Does the wine contain sediment? The absence of filtration may result in the presence of natural crystals or a slight deposit, a sign of a minimally interventionist winemaking process that preserves the wine’s character.
• How should this bottle be stored? It should be stored away from light, at a constant temperature of around 12°C, in a horizontal position.
• How long can this 2017 vintage be kept? Thanks to its acidic structure and barrel ageing, this cuvée has a cellaring potential of 5 to 10 years.