Domaine Georges Laval is a niche, little family-owned champagne estate. Having just three hectares in a region famous for its imposing maisons, it is quite the challenge to stand out from the crowd. But this is a challenge met with great talent. Since 1996, Vincent Laval has been managing the property with mastery. He was immersed in the wine-making world from a young age, watching both his father and grandfather work hard on the property. Today, he is helped out by his wife and a team of three employees. Together, their farming methods are traditional and certified organic; all synthetic products, herbicides, and pesticides are banned, as is compost and soil enrichment. Work in the winery is meticulous, with no added sugar and vinification in casks. The idea is to produce a range that includes both ‘vinification wines' and ‘terroir wines'. The vinification wines are those that blend vintages and/or terroirs to optimise flavour. The others undergo natural fermentation and are vinified as single-parcel cuvées. The lasting impression of these wines is one of precision, with beautiful depth and striking density.

Les Longues Violes is domain Georges Laval’s landmark cuvée. It comes from an eponymous parcel that has belonged to the family for several generations. This is a family that has always been dedicated to a respectful kind of farming that involves no synthetic or chemical products in the vineyard. The results of this approach can be seen in the animal and floral life that has developed. Vincent Laval, who took up the domain in 1996, is therefore very keen to continue this tradition of organic growing. This cuvée is a blend of Meunier (massal selections planted just after the Second World War) and Pinot noir (planted in 1964 and 1984). The must ferments naturally in oak casks and the wine rests for 70 months on its yeasts.
In the glass, this is a perfectly mature wine that expresses the sunny character of Cumières, a premier cru village. We get subtle notes of fruit and flowers as well as a very delicate oxidation, all of this underscored by a chalky profile.
Unfortunately, this blanc de noirs is crafted in very small quantities. You’ll have to be quick if you want the chance to savour the finesse of this fizz.