J. Laurens Le Moulin Brut Blanquette de Limoux (Midi) - Wine Review (Apr. 2022)

I've enjoyed this lovely Limoux sparkling wine on a couple of occasions now, including most recently in May 2021 when it showed up in VINTAGES that month. For tonight's sparkling wine review, I bring you the latest batch of this delicious sparkling wine that arrived at the LCBO last weekend as part of the April 16th LCBO VINTAGES Release.

Limoux wine is produced around the city of Limoux in Languedoc, in southwestern France, with sparkling wines dominating the production. The main grape of the region is Mauzac, known locally as Blanquette because of a fine white coating that forms on its leaves, followed by Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc. Historically, it is widely believed that the world's first sparkling wines were produced in the region of Limoux in 1531 by the monks of the abbey in Saint-Hilaire. Fast forward to 1929 and the Limoux production area was the first delimited area in France, followed by the first Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) in Languedoc (and one of the very first in France) in 1938.

This Limoux sparkling wine is produced by Domaine J. Laurens. Established in the 1980s by Michel Dervin of Champagne, J. Laurens is located in the south of France in the small village of La Digne d'Aval, 5 kilometres from Limoux, a stone’s throw away from the famous old city of Carcassonne, one hour from Toulouse, and two hours from Montpellier. A native of Limoux, Jacques Calvel took over the domaine in 2002 and with the help of Michel and cellar master Henri Albrus, the domaine was expanded and modernized in order to guarantee high quality wines every year.

Today, J. Laurens produces a fine range of AOC Limoux sparkling wines in the traditional method. Among the many rules of the AOC, yields are limited to 50 hl/hectare, hand-harvested and uncrushed grapes only, and the wines must rest on their lees for a minimum of 9 months. J. Laurens is aware of the importance of protecting the environment and respecting biological diversity, and applies the principles of sustainable agriculture with the help of a qualified technician.

Tasting Note:

J. LAURENS LE MOULIN BRUT BLANQUETTE DE LIMOUX - Traditional method, AP, Midi, France (#180323) (XD) - $19.95
This non-vintage traditional method sparkling wine is a blend of 90% Mauzac and 10% Chardonnay and has fresh golden apple and lemon citrus aromas mingling with yeasty and biscuit notes of generous intensity rising out of the glass. On the crisp, light-to-mid weighted palate it has lightly frothy mousse and more ripe apple, lemon citrus, and yeasty notes joined by lightly honeyed and grapefruit flavours in a dry profile with fresh, zesty acidity. Citrus, apple, and yeasty notes linger on the dry, clean, and crisp finish, with very good length. Lot L21344.1. Always a recommended buy! Score: 89 pts

Other fine wines by J. Laurens can be ordered through their Agent - Connexion Oenophilia.