Champagne Paul Launois Blanc de Blancs Monochrome #7 Extra Brut Grand Cru NV

Paul Launois is a house that continues to capture the attention of Champagne aficionados. Winemaker Julien Launois grew up in Le Mesnil, working with his father’s house, Champagne Jean-Pierre Launois, and following in his footsteps – taking over his father’s gig as head for the local Le Mesnil co-op for a time. He headed out on his own in 2013, alongside his graphic designer and artist wife, Sarah. They bought a worn home, winery, and cave compound, and launched their own brand under the name of their son, Paul. Today, the estate is thriving, quaint, and slowly becoming filled with some of the best Champagne in all the land! This is Monochrome #7, based on the 2021 vintage, 100% Chardonnay, from the amazingly chalky, limestone soils of our favorite Chardonnay spot in all of Champagne: Le Mesnil. Despite Julien’s seemingly serious demeanor, he has the light of playful and passionate mischief always aglow behind his intelligent eyes. His pristine 6.5 hectares in the heart of Le Mesnil have been tended by the Launois family for generations, and now, between the family’s two brands, most of the estate fruit stays in house. These days, with a winemaking facility, underground caves, and their own antique, massive basket press in the village of Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, the Launois family makes five compelling cuvées, all hand-crafted, hand-riddled, and disgorged traditionally. The portfolio perfectly encapsulates Champagne’s joie-de-vivre style – and no celebration is complete without a glass or two! Richly rounded out with 73% reserve wines, and kept lean and bright with a judicious 1 g/L dosage, the glass bursts with a powerful and deeply intense nose, pulling you in with brioche and pear aromas, followed by river rock, lemon verbena, rosewater, and creamy orange BANG! Accents of salt and piquant lemon and lime acidity tighten this up beautifully on the finish, giving a sense of extreme precision and focus. This is balanced, complex, and incredibly delicious – exactly what we’ve come to expect from Julien Launois. I’m taking my own advice and stocking up on at least a few more of these. You’d be wise to do the same!