Meza Wine Club / July 2026
Wine: Champagne J. Lassalle, Champagne 1er Cru Brut Cuvée Préférence
Champagne J. Lassalle was founded in 1942 in Chigny-Les-Roses on the Montagne de Reims by Jules Lassalle. The house is family-owned and now run by the third generation, with a tradition of “une femme, un esprit, un style” (one woman, one spirit, one style) upheld by Chantal Decelle-Lassalle and her daughter Angéline Templier. The estate spans 16 hectares of premier cru vineyards, cultivating all three authorized Champagne varietals: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier.
The Cuvée Préférence is a non-vintage premier cru Champagne. Grapes are pressed and vinified individually by plot using the original wooden basket press installed by Jules Lassalle over fifty years ago. This Champagne is one of the rare examples allowed to complete malolactic fermentation, enhancing richness and texture. It is aged on the lees for approximately 48 months, contributing to its depth and complexity. The dosage is around 8%, balancing freshness and body.
The blend typically consists of 60% Pinot Meunier, 20% Pinot Noir, and 20% Chardonnay, though proportions may vary slightly depending on vintage conditions. The grapes come from over 50-year-old vines in premier cru vineyards, ensuring concentration and character.
Critics describe the Cuvée Préférence as having integrated complexity, with delicate citrus aromas, grilled nuts, crushed rocks, and mineral notes. The palate offers stone fruit flavors, bright citrusy acidity, and gentle nuttiness, all harmoniously balanced.It is considered a rich, crowd-pleasing Champagne that performs well both on its own and with food.