Vincent Laval – Coteaux Champenois Cumières Rouge 2022

Overview

Coteaux Champenois Cumières Rouge 2022 by Vincent Laval is a rare and precious expression of Champagne, crafted entirely from hand-harvested Pinot Noir. This red wine combines freshness and complexity, standing as a symbol of the new path for still reds in a region best known for sparkling wines. Elegance, precision, and depth define this cuvée, a true reflection of the terroir of Cumières.

The history of the wine

The Coteaux Champenois denomination represents Champagne’s oldest tradition, preceding the rise of sparkling wine. Vincent Laval, heir to a family legacy dating back to 1694, chose to honor this appellation with a red wine that showcases the potential of Pinot Noir grown in the slopes of Cumières. The 2022 vintage confirms the domaine’s ability to interpret its terroir with precision and authenticity, delivering a wine of purity and finesse.

Vineyard philosophy

The grapes come from Premier Cru parcels in Cumières, cultivated organically for more than fifty years. South-facing slopes shaped like an amphitheater, with chalky and mineral-rich soils, provide the fruit with natural freshness and unique minerality. Every bunch is carefully hand-selected to ensure integrity, optimal ripeness, and full respect for the vine’s natural cycle.

Winemaking approach

Vinification is carried out with meticulous attention: low-temperature fermentation preserves the wine’s delicate aromas, while maturation in both wood and neutral containers creates harmony between varietal purity and layered complexity. The extended ageing on lees enhances texture, lending creaminess and depth. No filtration, no unnecessary interventions – only artisanal work faithful to the identity of the terroir.

Tasting notes

• Color: bright and luminous ruby red.

• Nose: aromas of fresh red fruits, floral nuances, minerality, and subtle toasted hints.

• Palate: vibrant and precise, with elegant structure, freshness, creamy texture, and long mineral persistence.

Food pairings

This Champagne red pairs beautifully with white meats, game birds, veal, and rabbit. It is equally compelling with structured fish dishes such as seared salmon or tuna, and reveals surprising harmony with soft cheeses and delicate aged varieties.

Technical sheet

• Producer: Vincent Laval

• Name: Coteaux Champenois Cumières Rouge

• Vintage: 2022

• Region: Champagne

• Locality: Cumières (Premier Cru)

• Grape: 100% Pinot Noir

• Format: 0.75 l

• Vinification: low-temperature fermentation, maturation in wood and neutral containers

• Ageing: extended lees contact

• Country: France

• Contains sulfites

Domaine Georges Laval – Champagne

A history across centuries

Since 1694, the Laval family has lived and worked in the heart of Champagne, passing down agricultural and artisanal knowledge through six generations. Today, this legacy finds full expression in Vincent Laval, heir of Georges, one of the pioneers of organic viticulture in the region as early as 1971. This tradition is not only heritage but also a responsibility towards the land and the wines it produces. The Laval story is one of coherence and dedication, where for over three centuries the vineyard’s roots have been inseparably tied to the destiny of those who cultivate them.

Philosophy in the vineyard

The domaine is guided by a philosophy based on the absolute rejection of synthetic chemicals, a commitment made more than fifty years ago and still followed with conviction. Across just 4 hectares, every task is carried out manually with meticulous care, ensuring vitality and balance. Biodiversity and soil life are preserved as key elements of this vision. Since 2020, new parcels in Cumières, a Premier Cru village, have enriched the domaine’s mosaic, marking a return to family roots and strengthening its historic bond with the territory.

Approach in the cellar

In the cellar, Laval’s work pursues authenticity and purity. Fermentation takes place spontaneously in wood, with no filtration or fining, allowing the complexity of the grapes to fully express itself. Extended bottle ageing deepens the wines, while manual riddling and traditional disgorgement confirm the domaine’s fidelity to artisanal Champagne methods. Each bottle is the result of a patient and natural process, where human hands guide without forcing, always respecting terroir and vintage.

The terroir of Cumières

At the heart of Laval is Cumières, a Premier Cru terroir shaped like an amphitheater with south-facing slopes, chalky soils, and a warm microclimate. Here grow Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and Chardonnay, including vines more than a century old, capable of transmitting profound mineral energy. The parcels, planted between 1955 and 2002, are a living heritage connecting generations and reinforcing the family’s continuity. Laval remains a domaine built on people before hectares, on respect before yield, and on purity before convention.