1999 Pommery "Cuvée Louise" Brut Champagne

Professional Reviews

Notes

An entirely estate-grown tête de cuvée from a grand marque Champagne house is a rare thing. Besides single-vineyard offerings like the Clos de Mesnil and Clos Ambonnay from Krug and Clos de Goisses from Philliponnat, there are only two: Roederer's Cristal and Pommery’s Cuvée Louise. When Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessey sold Champagne Pommery to Vranken in April of 2002, they kept the 741 acres of vineyards for themselves. As 2001 was a washout vintage, that leaves this 1999 Cuvée Louise and perhaps a 2000 (if they made it) as the last of this estate Champagne. The 1999 Pommery Cuvée Louise is a complete Champagne. It gets its soul from the village of Verzenay, the most important of the seven grand cru villages that went into the blend. You will find toast and richness in plenty in this Champagne, and yet it does not lose a beat of refreshment. I respectfully disagree with the tasters who say that it is running out of time--I think it will make a very charming 20 year old. Don’t miss this opportunity! (Gary Westby, K&L Champagne Buyer)