Famille Mousse, "L'Orage" Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut

"L'Orage" means "The Storm", referring to devastatingly small crop in 2021 when 11 top producers around Champagne (names listed on the back label) sold their Chardonnay to Moussé to help offset his losses.

Made entirely from Chardonnay, the pale yellow/silver-colored NV Champagne L'Orage Extra Brut is floral and less obvious in the glass, with zesty aromas of lemon candies, linen, and fresh flowers. All from 2021, the palate is more expressive, with a linear feel and good balance, and although it's bright in acidity, it's ripe and floats through the finish nicely. It will be fun to see this age and gain in depth.