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By: Neal Fischer | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: 5/9/2023 | Send Email
I'm a huge fan of everything that Launois releases, but of all their bottlings I'd probably have to say the Quartz is my favorite. (Okay, if we're counting the Special Clubs then I might have to change my tune.) Two details that set the Quartz apart come down to location and carbonation. All the fruit for this bottling is Grand Cru, coming from a single parcel in Les Mesnil sur Oger. The Quartz has lighter pressure due to being bottled at four atmospheres of pressure instead of six. The wine has a light bead and delicacy that I find very sumptuous. The nose has inviting aromatics of soft yellow apple, Bartlett pear, and a little bread. The mouthfeel is soft and round. Quartz has flavors of fresh cream and honey that never become decadent because of a nice line of lime acidity and a fresh orchard fruit medley that builds in the finish.
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By: Alex Schroeder | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: 8/28/2018 | Send Email
Launois Quartz is one of this legendary producer’s prestige bottlings. It is made from a single parcel in Mesnil, and is aged at a lower atmospheric pressure level than usual to better showcase the quality of the fruit behind finer bubbles. It has incredible minerality with a touch of saline, beautiful cream, citrus, melon, honey and white floral flavors, and a long precise finish. The elegance, complexity and utter drinkability are what makes this a must-have in prestige Champagnes.
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By: David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: 8/27/2018 | Send Email
I have to say, not only do I love to drink the special wines from Launois, I'm legit proud that we're the only source for this incredible products. The quality-to-price ratio is unprecedented and it's easy to argue that Launois should be considered one of the region's top producers. The fact that we can get this gorgeous cuvée to our customers for less than $40 is nothing less than a miracle. Vibrant, complex and so absolutely quaffable, the Quartz is a go-to for literally any occasion, but is especially fabulous with oysters. Just saying.
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By: Shaun Green | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: 8/23/2018 | Send Email
This lower pressure Champagne, coming from the single vineyard Chetillons is another astounding deal from Launois. The soft creamy feel of the mousse and the long lingering palate feel showing sweetcake and creamy apple richness mid-palate flows to a long lingering finish (another Grand Cru at this price!) .... what's not to like?
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By: Kirk Walker | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: 8/23/2018 | Send Email
It is hard to choose a favorite Launois wine. All of them are so good. What makes the Quartz stand out, other than it being unique in that it has few ATM's of pressure in the bottle, is the brightness of the fruit. There is a dazzling purity that make you want more and more! The mousse is soft and you couldn't guess that there is less pressure, and the finish is terrific. Grab some while we still have it.
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By: Gary Westby | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: 8/23/2018 | Send Email
We can never get enough Launois Quartz at K&L. Unfortunately; the production is limited as Bernard Launois only has so many grapes each year in the great Mesnil plot of Les Chetillons. Having access to single vineyard, estate, grand cru Champagne from one of the best growers in the region at such a fair price makes me proud to be the Champagne guy at K&L. This wine has a fabulous white fruit quality that few Champagnes get at any price, and a chalky laser beam finish that is pure Mesnil. No Champagne we carry sells out faster.
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By: Mari Keilman | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: 5/18/2016 | Send Email
Produced from the Les Chettilons parcel, Launois decided to showcase the particular terroir of the parcel by producing the cuvee with only 4 atmospheres of pressure instead of the standard 6. In reducing the yeast and sugar content needed for the secondary fermentation, the aromatics of ripe stone fruit, like white nectarine and soft peaches become more predominant. And with less bubbles, the glycerol, full bodied texture supports the abundant amount of ripe fruit that lingers from the mid-palate all the way to refreshing finish.
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By: David Driscoll | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: 5/17/2016 | Send Email
The Quartz is the leaner, more focused entry level wine from Launois and it might be my favorite. Underneath the fruit you get down into the minerality and the oyster shell notes that you expect from a fine Chablis. It's just that this wine has bubbles and it makes you feel like you're floating on air. Stunning.
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By: Andrew Stevens | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: 5/17/2016 | Send Email
When I first came to work here I would have people come up and ask if we had any Launois in stock, not being familiar with it I was always curious why so many people would eagerly await their arrival. Now having tasted them I understand why we always sell out of everything we carry from them. The Quartz is light, crisp, clean, and downright crushable if I may use a vulgar term for this wine. The bright acid carries hints of minerality and tart apple and green melon that is still balanced and finished so well. This will disappear fast so it is worth picking up whenever we have it.
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By: Mellyn Craig | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: 2/5/2014 | Send Email
Wow this is a fun Champagne! If you love Launois Champagnes like I do, please note that the “Quartz” is different than their traditional richer style, but equally well made. Zesty acidity with a touch of citrus and white peach livens up your taste buds. This Champagne is light and crisp, yet elegant with notes of soft creamy mousse to balance everything out.
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By: Ryan Woodhouse | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: 5/13/2013 | Send Email
Great wine that is a little more reserved than most of Launois' rich, decadent style. From a single vineyard and bottled at a slightly lower pressure. Soft orchard fruits abound, some fleshy peach character and a nice toasty note on the finish with our being overly buttery of nutty. This restraint allows the quality of fruit to show through a little more precisely. Excellent value.
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By: Scott Beckerley | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: 10/2/2008 | Send Email
The NV Launois “Quartz” is a half-pressure (three atmospheres of pressure versus the typical six) bottling in the cremant style. It is at once both delicate and mouthfilling. Composed of 100% chardonnay from the world-renowned chardonnay producing area of Mesnil (and Aviz and Oger), it has flavors of apples, brioche and lemon zest. Loads of cream and vanilla at the back of the palate make this a great way to start a meal with light appetizers.
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