The 2012 vintage marked the genesis of one of the most intriguing cuvées in the Pierre Péters range: the Les Montjolys Cuvée Spéciale Blanc de Blancs Brut. This release was the very first to be composed entirely of Chardonnay grapes from the eponymous lieu-dit (single vineyard plot) located in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger.
The "Montjolys" Terroir and the 2012 Vintage
The Les Montjolys vineyard is situated in the heart of the Le Mesnil-sur-Oger Grand Cru. Its terroir shares a similar chalk-based structure with the legendary Les Chétillons plot, yet contains slightly more clay. This characteristic imparts a rounder, fuller, and more yielding texture to the wine, making it more approachable in its youth compared to the tightly wound Les Chétillons.
The 2012 vintage itself was challenging: a difficult start with winter frost and hail led to reduced yields. However, dry and very warm weather through late August and September salvaged the crop, providing the grapes with superb maturity. The resulting Champagne balances intense concentration with the signature chalky spine. The wine was aged sur lattes and disgorged in November 2018 with a low dosage of 3.5 g/l.
Critic William Kelley of Wine Advocate awarded this cuvée an impressive 95 points, noting its "satiny and enveloping" body and "less youthful austerity" than Les Chétillons, calling it a lovely addition to the range.
Why Collectors Should Care
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Inaugural Vintage: 2012 is the first commercial release of the pure Les Montjolys cuvée, giving it high collector appeal as a "first edition" of a new flagship.
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Terroir Expression: The wine offers a broader, richer expression of the Le Mesnil-sur-Oger terroir, complete with notes of orange marmalade, spice, butter, and lemon confit.
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Aging Potential: Thanks to the concentration of the 2012 vintage and its mineral structure, the wine possesses cellar potential well beyond 2030.
Source: Wine Advocate (William Kelley, 2022-02), The Finest Bubble
Corroborating Sources: CellarTracker, Decanter
