Super-Rare Vertical of Selosse Disciple
2006-2007-2008 Jérôme Prévost Les Beguines
The Fascination of Pinot Meunier
"Curious readers should do whatever they can to taste the magnificent Champagnes of Jérôme Prévost."
-Antonio Galloni, Wine Advocate
With only 2.2 ha and a cult-like following, finding the wines of Jérôme Prévost is easier said than done. Prévost's first vintage was 1998 and already the tiny allocations U.S. retailers see are getting smaller.
Finding one vintage is difficult, finding three in one place is something of a Champagne coup.
For those passionate or curious about the artisan landscape in Champagne, we can't recommend the wines of Jérôme Prévost enough. For the fans of Prévost, we can only say give us your maximum order and we'll do our best.
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Thirteen years later Prévost's wines, sourced from 40-year-old Pinot Meunier vines, are some of the most captivating and individual Champagnes around.
Regarding the Pinot Meunier grape (normally considered a bit more rustic and crude than "noble" Chardonnay and Pinot Noir), Prévost says, "Pinot Meunier has interesting things to say, but you have to know how to make it speak."
When Prévost makes it speak, the grape is fascinatingly eloquent. In Prévost's hands, Meunier is endowed with a regal mineral infused structure. Meunier's power is harnessed and rendered with a detailed intensity and unique soil-expressive breed.
The warm, yet fresh and elegant 06 vintage shows the rich and powerful, exotic side. Champagne expert, Peter Liem, includes this among Prévost's best.
In the cooler 07 vintage, you encounter a more compact wine full of citrus and crisp stone fruits. A recent bottle was in beautiful form, displaying a lovely bright mineral intensity.
Finally, 08 may be be difficult to read, but the vintage appears to be, along with 02, the best of the past ten years and Meunier is often cited as the vintage's biggest success.
As with many grower Champagnes, Prévost's philosophy is different than many of the larger maisons. All his wines comes from one single vineyard, Les Beguines; they receive little or no dosage. Furthermore, Prévost is militant in the vineyard restricting small yields and pursuing absolutely ripe grapes. He doesn't even chaptalize, a common practice in Champagne.
Gueux is located in one of the sweet spots for Meunier. The soils are very unique. In these parts Champagne's famous chalk soils are buried deep under a mix of sand and calcareous clay laden with sea fossils.
While the art of blending is an important part of the history, the culture of Champagne, Prévost represents a convincing statement that there is also value in hands-on winemaking rooted in a very particular place. It seems like only a maverick and possibly a visionary could make it work out-2.2ha, Meunier, an esoteric corner of Champagne. We're happy that he did.
Given the variety of expression from vintage to vintage and how these wines benefit from bottle age, you're strongly encouraged to take advantage of the three-vintage vertical pricing, which is discounted roughly five percent. Due to the limited quantities, all orders are subject to confirmation.
To order, please email us at offers@crushwineco.com to this email or call the store at (212) 980-9463.
Joe Salamone
Wine Buyer
Crush Wine & Spirits
Prévost Vertical 06-07-08
Special Email Vertical 3-Pack Price: $242.50
Prévost Champagne Beguines NV (06)
Prévost Champagne Beguines NV (07)
Prévost Champagne Beguines NV (08)
NET | No further discount