Les Frères Mignon
| Vigneron | Florent and Julien Mignon |
| Location | Cramant (Marne) |
| Size of Domaine | 8.5 ha |
| Terroir | Continental climate with Oceanic influence. Clay-limestone soil on chalk bedrock. Various aspects, gentles slopes. 100-200m altitude. |
| Viticulture | Practise organic and agroforestry |
| View Les Frères Mignon wines ↓ |
Brothers Florent and Julien Mignon took over the family vineyards in 2014, building a new cellar immediately as their parents used to sell their crop via the local cooperative. They made their first wines with the 2016 vintage.
Split between the Grand Crus Avize, Cramant, and the 1er Cru Cuis in the Côte des Blancs; and Cumières 1er Cru and Damery in the Vallée de la Marne, their vineyards are composed exclusively of old massal selections planted in the 1960s and 70s – an undeniable factor in the quality of the final wines.
While the considerable investment needed to set up the new cellar pushed the brothers to err on the side of caution for the first few years, herbicides and insecticides were banned from the start (2017) and the domaine has been farmed organically since 2021. The soils are worked superficially only ('griffage' and intercep), and the pair are experimenting with cover crops which are rolled and pinned down using a rolo-faca to create a natural mulch. They also practise agroforestry via the planting of trees and hedges in and around the vineyards.
In the cellar, SO2 is added, if at all, only at press, and wild fermentations kick off promptly via the 'pied de cuve' technique. Malos happen naturally and often only partially complete. Ageing of the still wines occurs on fine lees in stainless steel cuves or new to 8yo barrels of varying sizes (228 to 600ltr). A perpetual reserve, started in 2016, matures in foudres, and dosage never exceeds 2g/l.
The brothers currently vinify only a portion of their harvest while they establish a market for their wines. The remainder is sold to a handful of discerning growers, a mutually beneficial exchange that allows Florent and Julien to gain invaluable insights from some of the region's best growers (e.g. Rapha Bérêche) – as evidenced by the quality of their wines after just a few years of activity. A name to watch for sure.
Les Frères Mignon Wines
L’AVENTURE
100% Chardonnay
100% Chardonnay (12.5% alc.)
L'Aventure represents the domaine's holdings in the Côte des Blancs with vines averaging 50yo+; it is a blend of grapes sourced from Avize GC (40%), Cramant GC (40%), and Cuis 1er Cru (20%). Based on the 2022 vintage (80%), the final blend sees 20% of a 'réserve perpétuelle' started in 2016 when the brothers kicked off their project. The second fermentation is triggered with a 'liqueur de tirage' at 22g/l sugar, and the champagne ages 'sur lattes' under the traditional capsule. Expressive nose of ripe citrus fruit; the malos are naturally only partially completed, bringing a vibrant and lifted mouthfeel. This is everyday-drinking champagne representing terrific value. Disgorged 01/26 – Dosage 1.6g/l.
CUIS 2020
1er Cru
100% Chardonnay
100% Chardonnay (12.5% alc.)
Cuis 1er Cru is a cool, predominantly N/NE-facing terroir at the northern edge of the Côte des Blancs, a gateway to the neighbouring Grand Cru slopes of Cramant and Avize. This cuvée is made from massal-selected 1974 vines in the lieu-dit Les Nogers (one of the rare south-facing plots in Cuis) – a continuation of the sought-after lieu-dit Le Bateau in Cramant GC. There is only 35cm of topsoil before reaching the Campanian chalk bedrock. The still wine is vinified and aged in 228ltr oak barrels for 11 months, without malolactic completing, due to naturally high acidity and low pH, and the champagne sees 42 months 'sur lattes' to soften its tightly wound citrus core. Verticality and salinity characterise this champagne, with good depth and concentration, a brilliant example of this singular terroir. Disgorged 11/25 - Non dosé.
CRAMANT 2019
Grand Cru
100% Chardonnay
100% Chardonnay (12.5% alc.)
This comes from 50-70yo vines propagated from pristine 'matériel végétal' in the famed Cramant lieu-dit Le Bateau – a chalky outcrop, tilting slightly to the east, with almost no topsoil. Vinified in 228-500ltr barrels and aged for 10 months, it was bottled in July 2019 under natural cork – 'tiré sur liège' – and disgorged after 64 months 'sur lattes'. As with many of the brothers' wines, the old vines bring density and concentration. The palate is finely structured, driven by acidity and bitters that bring clarity and tension without veering into austerity. A beautifully poised chardonnay, combining purity and finesse in a style that is both crystalline and textural. Disgorged 10/25 – Dosage 1.6g/l.
LE CHEMIN DE PARADIS 2018
Avize Grand Cru
100% Chardonnay
100% Chardonnay (12.5% alc.)
This comes from a 1968 'massale' in Le Chemin de Paradis, a lieu-dit on the lower, gentle slopes just east of the village. It sits between the prestigious Champ Bouton and La Fosse – the parcels that produce Agrapart's Minéral and Vénus respectively. This is perhaps the most coveted stretch in Avize: shallow soils and east-facing slopes with ideal sun exposure lend the wines both breadth and cut, a perfect combination. The 'vin tranquille' was vinified and aged in old barrels (228-350ltr) on full lees; it was bottled in July the following year for the second fermentation, and the champagne aged 'sur lattes' under natural cork for 75 months. Rich on the attack, with notes of ripe yellow fruits and flowers, this is broad and concentrated. There's a bright vein of acidity cutting through, bringing dynamism and energy to the long saline finish – Avize at its best. Disgorged 10/25 – Dosage 1.6g/l.
CUMIÈRES 2019
1er Cru
80% Pinot Noir, 10% Pinot Meunier, 10% Chardonnay
80% Pinot Noir, 10% Pinot Meunier, 10% Chardonnay (12.5% alc.)
Cumières 1er Cru is a unique and characterful terroir, a south-facing amphitheatre, north of Épernay, running along the right bank of the river Marne. The village produces pinots and meuniers that are highly sought after for their body and structure – Cumières is also historically famous for making red Coteaux Champenois. The brothers blend two prestigious lieux-dits: Les Hautes Chèvres and Les Chênes (made famous by Cumières-based producer Vincent Laval, among others), both on steep slopes of clay and silt over chalk. All varieties are harvested, pressed, and vinified together; the wine is aged in 228ltr barrels for a year, and the champagne remains around 44 months on its lees before disgorgement. The prolonged ageing 'sur lattes' enhances all of Cumières's traits, bringing a striking, red-fruited, and polished quality that stands out in the range – the wine is broader and provides a textural contrast to its Côte des Blancs siblings. Disgorged 04/24 – Dosage 2.4g/l.