2018 Famille Moussé 'Les Fortes Terres' Extra Brut

100% Meunier, farmed organically (uncertified) from a single site on the top of the hill in Cuisles.A grower since 1750, Famille Moussé sits in the village of Cuisles, in a valley perpendicular to the Marne river. This village is know for a unique terroir in Champagne: a thick band of green clay that sits under sand and various other soil types. This special clay, known as “Illite” and is used in cosmetics, gives the Meunier at this benchmark domaine an almost Chardonnay-like quality, with a lift and texture not often seen with this variety. Fermented and aged in stainless steel with full malolactic. Aged for 48 months on the lees and dosed with only 0.5 g/L. 242 six packs were imported. 

93 points, Jeb Dunnuck. "Named for the lieu-dit in the village of Cuisles, the 2018 Champagne Les Fortes Terres Brut is entirely Meunier and, in fact, was the first entirely Meunier wine of the house. Elegant and pillowy, with crystalline saline accents throughout, it pours a medium-straw color and offers aromas of golden peaches, ripe raspberry, flinty wet stone, and cooling spearmint. Medium to full-bodied, the mousse is refined and accentuates the wine's mineral persistence, with a long, mouthwatering finish with notes of white pepper. It trades in the house's generally broad shoulders, with a sporty and refined structure, as well as lively tension throughout. For fans of these wines, it should be noted that while it doesn't offer the depth we are accustomed to seeing (possibly due to the high-yielding vintage), it's an exceptional offering from Cedric Mousse and his team, with the potential to age a decade or more. Drink 2025-2035. A mere 0.5 grams per liter of dosage, and disgorged January 2023."

92 points, Vinous. "The 2018 Brut Les Fortes Terres (100% Meunier) is a bold, explosive wine that shows a notably exuberant expression of Meunier. Ripe pear, spice, flowers and mint are nicely amplified. Even with minimal dosage (0.5 grams per liter), the 2018 is on the riper side. All this needs is more mid-palate persistence, but it is still very nicely done. Disgorged: January 11, 2023."

92 points, Wine Spectator. "An expressive Champagne, with a lively, creamy mousse, revealing tangy, juicy ripe blackberry and green apple fruit layered with lemony acidity and accents of white blossoms, blanched almond and minerally chalk and brine. Zesty finish. Disgorged January 2023. Drink now through 2028. 242 cases imported."