Famille Moussé ‘Les Fortes Terres’ Special Club Extra Brut, Vallée de la Marne, Champagne, France 2020

A grower since 1750, Champagne Moussé sits in the village of Cuisles, in a valley perpendicular to the Vallée de la Marne. This side valley has a unique soil in Champagne: a schist subsoil under clay. While Pinot Meunier often struggles to be taken seriously in Champagne, at Moussé, Pinot Meunier is celebrated. 80% of the vines planted are Meunier, with the balance planted to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. ‘Les Fortes Terres’ is a landmark wine for the estate—their first 100% Meunier bottling—drawn from a single, high-elevation parcel and crafted to show Meunier with clarity, salinity, and age-worthy structure.

WINEMAKER: Cédric Moussé

FARMING: Practicing organic. The estate farms with a strong focus on soil health and biodiversity, avoiding synthetic inputs and harvesting by hand to ensure optimal ripeness and balance.

VARIETY: 100% Meunier.

TERROIR: A single site at the top of the hill in Cuisles, Vallée de la Marne. The parcel sits on green clay and limestone marl, a distinctive soil mix that brings both power and saline tension to Meunier, while the elevated position enhances freshness and aromatic lift.

VINIFICATION: Fermented with native yeasts in temperature-controlled stainless steel. Full malolactic fermentation is completed, lending textural roundness while preserving mineral drive and energy.

AGING: Aged on the lees for approximately 48 months before disgorgement. Disgorged January 2023. Finished as Extra Brut with a dosage of 0.5 g/L.

TASTING NOTES: Medium-straw in color with a refined, creamy mousse. Aromas of golden peach, ripe raspberry, wet stone, mint, and white flowers lead into a palate that is elegant yet structured, showing saline minerality, white pepper, and a long, mouthwatering finish.

FOOD PAIRINGS: Excellent with shellfish, crudo, roast poultry, or dishes featuring herbs and citrus; also compelling on its own for Champagne lovers focused on terroir expression.

SCORES:
 93 points, Jeb Dunnuck (2023)
 92 points, Vinous (2023)
 92 points, Wine Spectator (2023)