Lelarge-Pugeot Premier Cru 'Tradition' Brut Nature, Champagne, France

Golden light glides through a fine bead of persistent bubbles as the Lelarge-Pugeot Premier Cru Tradition Brut opens with a supple, doughy richness. Ripe orchard fruit, baked apple, apricot, and peach skin mingle with citrus zest and crushed chalk, delivering a Champagne that balances ripeness and minerality with quiet elegance. Four years of lees aging lend this bottle its creamy texture and length, culminating in a finish as clean as the morning frost on vineyard rows.

Product Details:

• Owners: Dominique Lelarge & Dominique Pugeot
• Winemaker: Dominique Lelarge
• Varietal: 50% Pinot Meunier, 40% Pinot Noir, 10% Chardonnay
• Vintage: Non-Vintage
• ABV: 12.5%
• Closure: Cork
• Farming: Certified Organic & Biodynamic
• Dosage: 4 g/L
• Aging: 4 years on lees
• Fermentation: Native yeast; stainless steel
• Malolactic Fermentation: Natural
• Disgorgement: April (year following harvest)
• Vegan: Yes

Awards & Accolades:

• 91 — Wine Enthusiast (2017)
• 1 Star — Le Guide Hachette des Vins (2017)

Sensory Description:

Aromatically expressive with ripe peach, apple, and a twist of orange zest, the wine delivers notes of brioche and sweet cream mid-palate. Creamy yet focused, its chalky core and crisp acidity stretch the finish, while the fine mousse adds an elegant lift. Balance and texture define this cuvée, where richness meets restraint.

Winemaker's Background:

Champagne Lelarge-Pugeot is a seventh-generation family estate located in the Premier Cru village of Vrigny, in the Montagne de Reims. Founded in 1789 and crafting Champagne since 1930, the domaine is now led by Dominique Lelarge and Dominique Pugeot, along with their children. The eight-hectare estate follows certified organic and biodynamic practices, with meticulous attention to soil vitality and minimal intervention in the cellar. Their wines showcase the purity of Vrigny's terroir and the family’s quiet commitment to sustainable excellence.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve at 45–48°F. A perfect apéritif, this Champagne also pairs beautifully with shellfish, creamy cheeses, smoked trout, and citrus-dressed salads. Its crisp acidity makes it equally suited to richer dishes like pork terrine or lightly spiced vegetable tempura.

The Lelarge-Pugeot Premier Cru Tradition Brut is a poised, handcrafted Champagne with a radiant spirit, rooted in tradition, uplifted by detail, and meant to celebrate moments of both quiet reflection and joyful gathering.