Champagne Thomas Perseval 'La Pucelle' 2019

Among the wave of rising talent in Champagne’s Montagne de Reims is Thomas Perseval, a bright young winemaker who has taken over his parents’ vineyards in Chamery.

After returning from an internship in Burgundy where he gained a deep insight into biodynamics and the importance of biodiversity, Thomas introduced organic farming to his 2.5ha of Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and Chardonnay vines, as well as a little Arbanne and Petit Meslier, which lie on the mid-slope of 1er Cru Chamery’s amphitheatre.

In addition to his striking, silken Tradition and Tradition Rosé blends, Thomas crafts long-aged, single-parcel Champagnes from old vines planted by his grandparents in the 1960s and 70s. Fermented spontaneously in oak barrels and bottled with minimal sulphur and without dosage, these are precise and engaging wines that crackle with energy and tension.

In addition to the domaine’s new cuvée ‘ArtTerre’ – a blend of varieties from three separate plots in Chamery – we have also managed to get our hands on a handful of late-release bottles of 2016 ‘Le Village’, 2013 ‘La Masure’, and 2019 ‘La Pucelle’ that Thomas now feels are entering their ideal drinking window. Fans of top grower Champagne should be quick to grab some of these delicious rares.

A cuvée made up of mostly Pinot Meunier planted in 1961 on sandy soils at the base of the village, 'La Pucelle' is structured and earthy, its deep orchard fruit flavours buttressed by bright acids and almond skin pithiness.