Starting in 2018, Jérôme Prévost released a new wine called Esperluette.
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.
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A portion of the wine comes from Prevost's Béguines vineyard, and the rest comes from other sites in the village of Gueux, including sandier soils and cooler microclimates.
Prévost's village Gueux is home to 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.
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.
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.
The 2022 Esperluette has a riveting energy and punchy intensity. There are beautiful aromatics of stone fruits and a saline cut. Everything is presented with a tension-filled drive that's really lovely.
As you can imagine, quantities are limited. I'm happy to have the opportunity to offer the 2022 Jérôme Prévost La Closerie "&" at such sharp pricing. Sadly, there's not much to go around.
'To order, email offers@crushwineco.com or call the store at (212) 980-9463.
Ian McFadden
Director, Fine & Rare
Crush Wine & Spirits
