4603 GEORGES LAVAL CHAMPAGNE CUMIERES PREMIER CRU BRUT NATURE 2018 1500ml

This cuvée, "Cumières Premier Cru Brut Nature Magnum (LMG18) - Millésime 2018," is released as a vintage Champagne. It is a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. The wine is unfiltered, unfined, and zero dosage. Disgorged on November 14, 2022.

The village of Cumières is located in the heart of Champagne, on the right bank of the Marne, just four kilometers from Épernay. Its south-facing, amphitheater-shaped slopes, distinctive soils, chalk subsoil, and warm microclimate have all contributed to its classification as a Premier Cru terroir.

A descendant of one of the oldest winegrowing families in Cumières (since 1694), Georges Laval began practicing organic viticulture as early as 1971, crafting his wines in a natural and artisanal manner.

Since 1996, Vincent Laval—heir to this family expertise passed down through generations—has continued to farm the estate’s three and a half hectares of vineyards with the same care and dedication, producing around 20,000 bottles annually with great passion. His father Georges Laval was one of the oldest producer who obtained biologique certificate(in 1971) in Champagne. Only seven producers were certified by Ecocert at that time, said Vincent. The wine has superb purity of fruits and mineral, and sensational verticality.

Vincent Laval and Hervé Jestin

Any discussion of Vincent Laval must also include Hervé Jestin; the two can be considered close collaborators, even kindred spirits.

During his time as Chef de Cave at the major house Duval-Leroy, Hervé Jestin created the innovative Champagne “Authentis,” made from purchased biodynamically farmed grapes grown by Laval in Cumières. This cuvée would later serve as the prototype for Cuvée Champagne Jestin.

The first vintage of Cuvée Champagne Jestin, released in 2006, was produced using Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grown by Vincent Laval in Cumières, along with Chardonnay from David Léclapart in Trépail. In pursuit of fully expressing his biodynamic philosophy, Jestin sources grapes from trusted growers such as Laval and Léclapart to craft his own Champagne.

In 2011, Hervé Jestin acquired the historic single vineyard Clos de Cumières, a rare 0.49-hectare parcel in the village. While this vineyard has become emblematic of his domaine, its day-to-day management—including horse ploughing—is carried out with the full support and collaboration of Vincent Laval.