Mumm Rsrv Cuvée Lalou 2013

Mumm Rsrv Cuvée Lalou 2013 shows a different side of the famous Reims house from the familiar Cordon Rouge. It belongs to the more selective RSRV collection and focuses on the 2013 harvest, drawing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from seven Grand Cru villages. This is a Champagne to choose for the particularity of its origins and vintage rather than simply for a well-known name. The character is quietly luxurious. Soft citrus brings brightness, while nuances of brioche and vanilla lend warmth and detail. A suggestion of nougat adds another layer, without turning the impression into something heavy or overly sweet. The pleasure is in the balance between those elements: fresh fruit, gentle pastry-like notes and an elegant, composed overall shape. The vineyard background gives that character further interest. G.H. Mumm was founded in 1827 and maintains one of the more substantial estate holdings among major Champagne houses. Its vineyards extend across important Grand Cru villages, with Pinot Noir particularly prominent in the producer’s wider planting. Chardonnay from sites such as Avize and Cramant is an equally important part of its quality ambitions. Cuvée Lalou takes the house’s ability to select from high-ranked origins and brings it into a more concentrated vintage proposition. For anyone starting with Mumm, Cordon Rouge remains a sensible first purchase. RSRV Cuvée Lalou 2013 is a natural next step when the appeal lies in a named year, specific Grand Cru sourcing and a wine intended for more considered drinking. It also makes an excellent gift for someone who already knows the regular Mumm range and would appreciate discovering a less familiar expression. At the table, try this with roast poultry, a mushroom dish, a delicate cheese soufflé or a well-balanced cream-based sauce. The food should support the wine’s combination of freshness and more developed notes rather than dominate it. Serve cool, in a tulip-shaped wine glass, and resist the temptation to drink it too quickly. When buying, check the precise **2013** vintage and **RSRV Cuvée Lalou** name. Other RSRV Champagnes may be equally interesting, but they are not interchangeable with this blend of two varieties from a particular group of Grand Cru vineyards.