About the Wine

Lucien Moutard inherited the art of viticulture from his father, Paul, and passed it down to his children – Agnès, Véronique, and François. With unwavering determination, he toiled the local soil, expanding vineyards, and nurturing the vines. Lucien believed deeply in the Côte-des-Bar region, a terrain known for its steep hillsides, marl, limestone, and clay-rich soil.

In 1952, Lucien embarked on a journey to create Champagne, establishing a regional union in Aube to protect the Champagne designation. He was not merely a vintner but a guardian of the Côte-des-Bar terroir. Lucien's son, François, recalls his father's passion for excellence, a passion that would shape the family's future. 

In 1952, Lucien planted a plot of the Arbane variety, nearly extinct in Champagne. François, dedicated to preserving this rarity, created a special cuvée from these vines. This unique blend boasts notes of hawthorn, carnation, Reinette apple, wild peach, and quince – a testament to the unrivaled finesse of Arbane. 

Lucien and his wife, Josette, worked side by side, instilling a sense of family in their children. Their belief was clear: everyone in the family must understand every aspect of production and customer service. This dedication to the craft and the customer is a principle passed down by Lucien himself.

"My father loved the vines; he experimented with new cultivation and vinification techniques," François fondly remembers.

Over the years, they witnessed significant milestones: the inclusion of the Aube vineyard in the Champagne designation area in 1927, the establishment of a trading company in 1941, and the union of Josette Diligent and Lucien Moutard in 1958. The 1970s brought modernization, and by 1980, the third generation, Agnès, Véronique, and François, had taken the reins. In 1982, François Moutard rejuvenated his grandfather's business, setting the stage for the renowned Champagne we enjoy today.

Moutard's commitment to producing healthy grapes is unwavering. They prioritize respect for nature, soil preservation, and long-term sustainability. Their viticulture techniques include pre-trimming, trimming, and aging wines in Burgundy oak barrels. Some bottles rest for up to 15 years, ensuring unparalleled quality.

The Moutard family follows the lunar calendar, syncing their activities with the biological rhythm of the vine. From mechanical weeding to cropping, harvest, and bottling, nothing is left to chance. They continually seek innovative solutions to reduce the use of sulfites, benefiting both consumers and wine growers.

Côte des Bar boasts an oceanic/continental climate and a soil enriched with a Kimmeridgian band, featuring ancient marls and clay limestone. This unique combination imparts greater roundness, character, and complexity to their Champagnes, setting them apart from the rest.

Aging: Skin contact method. After harvesting the grapes are placed in wooden vats. Maceration during 4 days and fermentation until a particular density is reached to preserve the fruit. 

Tasting Notes: 100% Pinot Noir. 
See Critical Reviews for detailed tasting notes.

Reviews

A rosé of pinot noir from the Côte des Bars, this gains its color from a short maceration on the grape skins. The ripeness of the fruit comes through in exotic spices, like Szechuan peppercorns if they could buzz with coolness rather than heat. The red fruit flavor is tight and savory, without even a whisper of sweetness, lasting with gentle, quiet persistence. ~93 Wine & Spirits

Ripe raspberry, cherry, graphite, and blood orange notes leap from the glass, riding a satiny bead and married to mouthwatering acidity on the palate. Bright and expressive, with a chalky, lingering finish. 5,000 cases made, 200 cases imported. ~92 Wine Spectator

Bright, light salmon-pink, orange reflections; lively mousse. Hints of patisserie lie beneath nuances of greengage, fresh plum, fine blossom honey and red cherry fruit. Medium complexity, fruity-sweet texture of ripe yellow peach and a little pineapple, lively structure, honey overtone to the finish; versatile. ~92 Falstaff

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