“Les Longues Violes” Cumières Premier Cru Brut Nature 2016

Wine description for “Les Longues Violes” Cumières Premier Cru Brut Nature 2016 by Georges Laval

Character

A Champagne of rare sincerity: complex and long-lived, just as the Les Longues Violes plot has promised for generations. With no dosage, it reveals itself as straightforward, almost ascetic – a wine that seeks not to please, but to tell a story. The aromatic profile ranges between red berries, dried herbs and an earthy depth reminiscent of damp forest and old wood. On the palate it is taut, with a fine mousse and a finish that speaks of patience.

Terroir & Origin

Cumières lies on the right bank of the Marne, a few kilometres north-west of Épernay. The south-facing slopes above the river are classified as Premier Cru for Pinot Noir – here, in the Les Longues Violes plot (the “long way”), Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grow from massal selection. The vines are rooted in chalky soils, with an average age exceeding 30 years. The Laval family has tended vines in this village since 1694 – a continuity reflected in the glass.

Grape Varieties & Vinification

The blend of Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier combines structure with fruit: the Pinot provides a tannic framework and depth, while the Meunier adds a rounder, more accessible dimension. It is vinified with wild yeasts in used wooden casks, without fining or filtration. Maturation on the lees lasts over 50 months – an ageing period that has become rare in Champagne. The result: a Brut Nature of remarkable presence, where the terroir takes precedence over the effervescence.

Food Pairings

Its structure and absence of dosage make this Champagne a serious companion at the table. It pairs beautifully with pan-roasted duck breast with orange jus, cured salmon with dill and mustard sauce, or a mature Comté. Wild mushrooms – whether in a risotto or simply sautéed in butter – also find a worthy partner here. For something simpler: toasted bread with salted butter and a handful of nuts – nothing more is needed to understand this wine.