#352 The legal six - Wines of Champagne Moutard

Champagne Moutard is still family run company, with its 17th century origins firmly in the wine business, as they have documents relating to their activity as vine growers.  Like a good proportion of Champagne producers, they use grapes from their own vineyards and from growers that they have worked with for decades, if not centuries.  What Moutard do that is different is that they grow the lesser known trio of grapes, and make a wine with all six legal varietals. 

I tried five Champagnes, and found that they were all pretty good.

Champagne Moutard Cuvee Brut Prestige NV
A 50:50 blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, this has soft, light, minerally aromas with a little oyster water and lemon pith thrown in.  Good citrus fruit, nice balance and a clean with a slightly biscuity finish.  Good. 7/10

Champagne Moutard Pinot Noir Extra Dry 'Vignes Beugenux' NV
A little funk on the nose, some more tropical fruit, but definitely noticeable as predominantly Pinot Noir - and this is entirely Pinot Noir!  A little raspberry, rich flavours of red currant, peach with some toast coming through coated in a little bit of honey. 7/10

2002 Champagne Moutard Vintage
In complete contrast to the previous wine, this is entirely Chardonnay.  Despite of this, it has a richer nose than you would expect, some fresh lemon mixed with burnt toast aroma.  Some pear coming through with  bit of brioche, lemon ,marmalade and honey.  8.5/10

2004 Champagne Moutard Cuvee de 6 Cepages
Moutard produce this wine that has equal quantities of the six grape varieties used, and still legal, in Champagne a century ago.  While all the other producers focus on Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, this also contains Petit Meslier, Arbane and Pinot Blanc.  You notice oyster shell coming off first, then lemon squeezed into some cream and smeared on melon skin!  A creamy texture, some tart and toast aromas, brioche and bread with a light savoury element. 8/10

Champagne Moutard Prestige Rose NV
Containing both Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, this has light redcurrant aromas with raspberry leaves, but it is pretty closed.  Quite raspberryish with an apple tartness, sour orangey notes and a touch of toast on the end.  Not a bad wine, but there are better.  6.5/10