LeLarge Pugeot Gueux Extra Brut 2016

Named for the village of Gueux just 2 km north of Vrigny, this Meunier-dominant blend consists of grapes from two parcels. One, a south-east facing plot of Pinot Noir planted on sandy soils in 2005, and the other, an east-facing parcel of Meunier abutting 4 meager rows of Chardonnay - a 'happy' accident on behalf of Clemence's grandfather when he planted the site all the way back in 1965. With the fruits of these two sites previously sold on to negociants, 2015 marks the family's first vintage of Gueux; luxuriously rich, silky and markedly serious, the wine sees preserved lemon, almond shortbread and ginger tea drawn along an addictive, lingering vein of salinity.