Jérôme Prévost is one of the greatest growers in all of Champagne.
We've told Prévost's story many times, but it's extraordinary enough to repeat once more. The tale begins with a 21-year-old who inherited his grandmother's 2.2 hectares of Meunier (the ugly stepchild of Champagne grapes) in an obscure corner in the northwest of Montagne de Reims.
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For over 10 years he simply sold off the grapes. In 1998, his friend Anselme Selosse convinced him to start making his own wines. Things took off quickly from there. By 2006, his wines had captured the world's attention. Finding them today, in any quantity, has become incredibly difficult.
Today, we're happy to offer Prévost's 2020 lineup.
Prévost's vines are in Gueux. Here you will find unique soils. Champagne's famous chalky soils are buried deep underneath a mix of sand and calcareous clay, laden with sea fossils. Judging from Prévost's wines, something really special happens to Meunier here.
Esperluette is French for ampersand and the label distinguishes itself from Prévost's other wines by a large & on the label. This bottling offered Prévost yet another opportunity to show that he has the magic touch with the Pinot Meunier grape. The Esperluette showcases the finesse and lift that Prévost can tease out of the grape.
The first vintage of Esperluette was 2018. A portion of the wine comes from Prevost's Béguines vineyard, and the rest comes from other sites in the village of Gueux. The 2020 is brilliantly clear and tension-filled, exemplifying the qualities that has made Prévost a cult producer.
The 2020 is a gorgeous example of Les Béguines. It offers up a fair amount of yellow fruits with a shocking amount of energy, refinement, and clarity. The wine's mineral expression is simply profound - you get earthy and saline notes with a talc-like grip.
Fac-Simile is one of the rarest and most hunted wines in all of Champagne. The quantities that we find are always very modest. It is an astonishing example of what can be done with Pinot Meunier and Rosé Champagne in general. There's an intensity allied with an energetic tension that amazes. In 2020, everything is poised, crystal clear, and harmonious. Currents of ripe citrus meld with floral notes, smoke, subtle cherry fruit, and not very subtle chalky minerality. All of this is always rendered with perfect clarity.
Before I wrap up, I should emphasize that all three Champagnes are very limited. Please give us your ideal order, and we'll try our best.
To order, email offers@crushwineco.com or call the store at (212) 980-9463.
Ian McFadden
Director, Fine & Rare
Crush Wine & Spirits
