Our #1 Selling Bottle under $50 - Back in Stock!

Launois "Cuvée Réservée" Grand Cru Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne ($37.99)

Alexandre Tweedie | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: June 02, 2024

Quick facts: 100% grand cru estate chardonnay, 100% old vine massal selection, 110% fantastic - the Launois Cuvee Reserve. An opening nose of absolutely classic Mesnil chalk and green apple, padded with expressions of citrus pith, with a delicate kiss of crisp orchard fruit. There are 18 reviews below mine here, and all will echo my thoughts all the way back to 2009 - $34.99 for a bottle of pure grand cru champagne is near lunacy in todays soaring sparkling market. Simply astonishing, complexly rewarding.

Philip Roufail | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: June 09, 2023

Launois 101: The Launois "Cuvée Réservée" Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Brut Champagne is the all-time undisputed champion of K&L's Direct Import Champagne portfolio and our largest grower-producer. The Launois champagnes have such a dedicated following amongst customers in the know that it practically sells itself, but for those who are just now discovering these delectable champagnes, here is a quick primer. Founded in 1872, Launois is headquartered in a remarkable chateau in the village of Villers-aux-Bois and is currently helmed by eighth generation vignerons Severine and Caroline Launois. The estates Grand Cru vineyards are in Mesnil-sur-Oger and Cramant in the heart of the Cote de Blancs (prestigious neighbors Krug and Salon are nearby). The Launois "Cuvée Réservée" (CR) is the flagship NV champagne and their other Blanc de Blancs (100% Chardonnay) are variations of this unbelievably affordable sparkling masterpiece. So, the Quartz is the CR, but bottled under 5 atmospheres of pressure instead of six; the Clemence is the CR with an extra year of aging on the lees (4 years total); and the Maxime is the CR but a single vintage, currently 2015. The Dorine is sourced from a chalky patch of the Cote de Sezanne and is barrel fermented. The Vinum Dei (Wine of God) is the only blend, 60% Chardonnay and 40% Pinot Noir; and the Valentine is a 100% Pinot Noir Brut Rosé. Each champagne has its own distinctive

Thomas Smith | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: July 15, 2021

Every once in a while, customers looking to explore something new will ask us, What are you guys drinking? What are you excited about?. Its so much fun to hear that question, because it gives us a chance to recommend wines that were passionate about, wines that we love and want to share with other people. When recently faced with this question, the answer for me was unequivocally Launois. Not only is it one of our best-selling Champagnes at K&L, it also happens to be the bottle of wine that more of our staff buy than anything else in the store. The reasons for this are clear: all Grand-Cru Chardonnay from Mesnil; clean, powerful and focused flavors; and a price thats affordable enough to enjoy Champagne on a weeknight. I took a bottle home a week ago and can safely reaffirm that this is exactly as good as we all think it is. With lemon, cream, a hint of smoke and biscuit on the nose, it follows up on the palate with aggressive, mouthwatering acidity, an incredibly prominent minerality and a beautiful finish that carries on and on. An outstanding value.

David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: August 27, 2018

The benchmark wine from this wonderful producer makes big-house Champagne look stupid. Sure there are some fabulous offerings from the great names in Champagne, but none come close to this magical bottle even at a $20 premium. This has everything you want in a Blanc de Blancs. Exquisite structure and vibrant creamy texture. Gorgeous aromatics filled with nuanced mineral, citrus and stone fruit flavors. There's no wonder this is one of our best-selling wines of any kind, but I'm still shocked more people don't stockpile it. Also, these do amazingly in the cellar if you want to put a few years on there.

Scott Beckerley | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: August 27, 2018

Yikes! I just found that after working here since 4 B.C., I have never written a review for this Champagne. It's very strange because I love it so! In any case, this one of my perennial favorites. It exudes classic Mesnil citrus (lemon/lime) and also has the additional "house style" cream and cantaloupe scents. On the palate, oranges, green melons and (you guessed it!) vanilla cream. The small bubbles give away its Launois origins, as they are renowned for this (and the familiar "bomb" bottle). This particular cuvée should please almost anyone and I suggest buying a magnum and having a dinner party!

Shaun Green | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: August 23, 2018

There's not a lot more to say about this one, it a no-brainer! Grand Cru Champagne of this quality at this price is just not to be missed.

Kirk Walker | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: July 09, 2009

It is hard to miss this wine with its great packaging, but more importantly it is the juice between the bubbles. Ever since I started working for K & L, first bottle I took home was this wine!, I have been a big fan. Broad rich on the palate with a great bead. The flavors lean towards white Burgundy, what's not to like?