93 pts Wine Advocate (Kelley)
From a lieu-dit just below the tree line where the soils tend to be deeper, Dhondt’s 2019 Extra-Brut Blanc de Blancs Mesnil sur Oger Les Potes delivers generous aromas of yellow orchard fruit, plums and pear mingled with notions of beeswax and buttery pastry. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and vinous, it’s layered and textural, with a charming, giving profile and a long, saline finish.

As I wrote last year, Adrien Dhondt’s small ngociant project under his own name is the fruit of a desire to explore the terroirs of the southern end of Champagne’s Cte de Blancs. Picking small parcels in different sites every year, the first releases from the 2018 vintage featured Avize, Le Mesnil sur Oger and Oger. In 2019, Dhondt instead opted to work with three plots in Mesnil sur Oger: Les Potes, from the top of the slope; Chtillons de haut, from mid-slope; and Les Coullemets, from the bottom of the slope. Readers versed in the Cte de Blancs’s geology will remember that soils are actually thinnest at the bottom of the slope, producing more incisive wines, than they are at the topthe inverse of the situation in Burgundy’s Cte d’Or, for example.

Champagne Mesnil Sur Oger is a Grand Cru Champagne from Adrien Dhondt. This vintage, numbered 13, is the second edition. An exacerbated curiosity. A panel of several plots in search of local wines. Avize, Oger, Le Mesnil sur Oger as playgrounds. Develop sensitive, thrilling and touching wines on utopian terroirs.This champagne comes from old vines located in Le Mesnil sur Oger. The vines are located on chalky soils, at the top of the hillside and exposed to the east. This champagne is vinified in barrels and aged for 8 months on whole lees.
Dosed at 1.5g/L, was disgorged in February 2023.

Champagne tasting

The Champagne Dhondt Grellet Le Mesnil Les Potes Extra-Brut Blanc De Blancs 2019 stands out for its finesse and elegance. To the eye, it has a golden color with sparkling reflections. The nose is delicate, revealing aromas of white flowers, candied lemon and mineral notes. On the palate, this champagne offers a beautiful liveliness, with a fine and persistent effervescence. The flavors of white-fleshed fruits blend harmoniously with a subtle touch of brioche, offering a long and refreshing finish.

The best food and champagne pairings

This champagne pairs perfectly with refined dishes. It will enhance a scallop carpaccio, a white fish tartare or even fresh oysters. For cheese lovers, it will pair wonderfully with a mature comt or a truffled brie. For dessert, opt for a lemon meringue pie for an unforgettable taste experience.

The appellation

Le Mesnil-sur-Oger is a prestigious appellation located in the Cte des Blancs, renowned for its exceptional Blanc de Blancs champagnes. The chalky soils of this region give the wines a unique minerality and great finesse. Champagnes from this appellation are often characterized by their freshness, elegance and remarkable aging potential.

The Dhondt-Grellet House

Maison Dhondt Grellet is a family house that has been perpetuating the Champagne tradition for several generations. Located in the heart of the Cte des Blancs, it extends over plots of land carefully selected for their exceptional terroir. The Dhondt Grellet family is committed to producing high-quality champagnes, respecting sustainable viticulture methods and promoting artisanal know-how. Each cuve is a reflection of their passion and dedication to excellence.