Champagne Friday: Michel Loriot
Friday, June 8, 2012 at 4:15PM | Uncorked Blog Administrator
By: Gary Westby | K&L Champagne Buyer
Michel Loriot and his family cultivate 17.5 acres in the village of Festigny in the western part of the valley of the Marne. He produces 60,000 bottles per year from this estate which is planted 85% to Meunier, 16% to Chardonnay and 4% to Pinot Noir. His family has been cultivating here for five generations and made their first wine in 1931.
Michel is so well respected in the area that he was elected as the president of the Independent Vignerons of Champagne. Although Michel has invested extensively in the latest, most expensive computer cotrolled diaganol Coquard presses, he has chosen to stay with enamel lined iron for his fermentations. He blocks the malolactic for freshness, and ages his wines for a long time- 3 years on the lees for his entry level, with 50% reserve wines from the two previous harvests.
His wines have great natural richness and texture, and are very clean. I cannot overstate the value that these wines represent!
Michel Loriot "Cuvee Reserve" Brut Champagne ($29.99; $65.99 magnum)
"This is medium- to full-bodied Champagne and makes great drinking on its own as well as being fantastic with patés of all sorts."
Michel Loriot "Marie-Leopold" Sec Champagne ($34.99)
"This has a nose that reminds me of tarte tatin, a pastry smell that carries through onto the palate. It has such a nice, lazy bead and polished texture and the sweetness does not seem at all out of place. This is a must for every Champagne lover--don't knock it because it is sweet!"
2005 Michel Loriot Vintage Brut Champagne ($44.99)
"This Loriot is medium bodied and fine and the nutty palate gives way to a fresh, lifted finish. Michel Loriot makes great wine, and this 2005 vintage is another great example. I find it to be the most effortless, elegant Meunier based Champagne that I have ever tasted, and a real contrast to the powerful style of his great Meunier Old Vine."
***
Browse our complete Champagne offering on KLWines.com and check out more educational wine and spirits videos from the experts at K&L on YouTube!
Reader Comments