40% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir, 20% Pinot Meunier
This cuvée is yeasty and rich with a bold expression of terroir, and is named for the ancient measure of vineyard work performed manually by a single person in a single day: the "Hommée" represented the surface area that a man could work in a day in the vineyard.
Deep in spirit and sumptuous, offering rich red fruits, classic brioche and vanilla bean elements, with a concentrated, persistent, broad palate ringing with mineral energy.
The grapes are selected from vineyards in the 1er cru villages of Vrigny and Pargny, in the northern Montagne de Reims. The wine ferments spontaneously in 600L demi-muids (70-80%) and stainless steel tanks (20-30%). The wine ages for 10 months in 600L demi-muids and then stays for five years sur latte prior to disgorgement.
Bottled unfined and unfiltered, with the absolute minimum amount of sulfur possible used only when necessary.
Since 1806, the Coulon family has gradually increased its holdings so that there are now 10 hectares under vines, almost all located within the 1er Cru rated villages of Vrigny, Coulommes and Pargny, about 10km from Reims. The average age of the vines is 38 years, a rarity in Champagne where old vines — and the limited production that is the result thereof — are often considered a curse rather than a blessing. Further, the vineyards are planted by the séléction masalle process rather than with modern clones. No herbicides are used and harvest is done manually. The juice from the red grapes is fermented and aged in stainless steel but much of the Chardonnay is fermented in small oak barrels (not new). Only natural, indigenous yeasts are used.
