May is Wine month in New York, and we had the opportunity to attend a very interesting Master Class entitled “Disruption and Dynasty: How 3 Families in Champagne, Napa, and Languedoc Own the Fine Wine Narrative In A Changing Market, featuring: Champagne Mandois, Maison Lorgeril, and Merryvale Vineyards,” part of the Albert Bichot USA Roadshow in New York City, at the Korean restaurant, Gaonnuri located on the 39th floor at 1250 Broadway. It was an afternoon of wine excellence and education.
The Master Class was held on May 6, 2026, and it is interesting to note is that each of the presenting vineyards had a long legacy of excellence. Champagne Mandois in Champagne, France was founded in 1735, Maison Longeril in Languedoc, France was founded in 1620, and Merryvale Vineyards in Napa, California was founded in 1983. Each one is unique; each one has an interesting legacy and history.
Champagne Mandois, Champagne, France
Family owned by the Mandois family, his parents, Claude and Catherine Mandois are the 9th generation to produce these exceptional champagnes. Founded in 1735, in Pierry, France, they have continued the line of winemaking excellence They produce three different collections of champagnes: Collection Origine, Collection Blanc de Blancs, and Cuvée D’Exception.
Champagne Mandois – Collection of Champagne
Winemaker Maximilien De Billy from Champagne presented their Victor Blanc de Blancs champagne from 1995, 2000, and 2008, which were three of the best vintages in the past 50 years. Blanc de Blancs Cuvée uses the best juice. The grapes are pressed in the wine center. He noted that non-vintage has to be high quality as that will inspire people to try the rest – excellence of tradition.
Maximilien De Billy, Winemaker Champagne Mandois
Tasting Notes: Victor Blanc de Blancs 1995, Vinothèque
100% Chardonnay, 1995 Vintage. Fermentation and ageing of 70% of the wine was done in stainless steel and 30% in oak barrels. The dosage is 5g/l of sugar. Aging was over 8 years on the lees. This the best Blanc de Blancs they produce. Old vines only were used with an average of 55 years, producing small berries with concentrated flavors. It was creamy and fresh even after 30 years, with a balance of sugar and wine.
Tasting Notes: Victor Blanc de Blancs 2000, Vinothèque
100% Chardonnay, 1995 Vintage. Harvested late August. Fermentation and ageing of 70% of the wine was done in stainless steel and 30% in oak barrels. The dosage is 5g/l of sugar. Aging was over 8 years on the lees. Small bubbles. Freshness with acidity.
Tasting Notes: Victor Blanc de Blancs 2008
100% Chardonnay, 2008 Vintage. Fermentation and ageing of 70% of the wine was done in stainless steel and 30% in oak barrels. The dosage is 5g/l of sugar. Aging was over 8 years on the lees. This reflects the style of the house, freshness, fruitiness, and elegance. Concrete calms the fruit and adds minerality. Fruity aromas on the nose and a little frilly touch of wood notes.
Maison Longeril, Languedoc, France
Maison Longeril, founded in 1620, is a family-owned vineyard in Languedoc, France, is one of the third oldest winemaking families in France, and their wines were served at Versailles in the 14th century. Henri Longeril presented “Languedoc Wines for the Modern Market: Diversity, Value, and Premium Potential” where their focus is on the High Languedoc region with an elevation of 150 -700 meters, where warm days merge into cool nights with strong, diurnal range, well-drained and wind (ventilated conditions.) The Geology is a mix of schist, granite, limestone, and gneiss, with high minerality. Freshness, aromatics, and terror that comes across in each sip.
Henri Longeril – Maison Longeril
Henri Longeril presented a tasting of two selections from 2021 and a selection from 2019 that provided an insiders’ delectable view of their portfolio.
Tasting Notes: 2021 Château De Ciffre Terroirs D’Altitude AOP St. Chinan
2021 Château De Ciffre Terroirs D’Altitude AOP St. Chinan
This was a blend of Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, NS Carignan, which was a Rhône-style red with altitude freshness, silky texture, and at Languedoc price, offering great drinkability at an outstanding value. Dark cherry, garrigue, velvety tannins, and mineral fresh. Pairs well with grilled lamb with rosemary, thyme, and garlic. This wine received 92/100 points from Wine Enthusiast and 90 points from Decanter World Wine Awards.
Tasting Notes: 2021 Château De Pennautier Terroir D’Altitude AOP Cabardès
This was a blend of Grenache, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Malbec, and Merlot, made as a unique Bordeaux-Rhône hybrid, enhanced by altitude. Fruity with black currants and spices, offering structure and depth. Pairs well with duck breast with figs and thyme. This wine received 91/100 points from Wine Enthusiast and 90 points from James Suckling.
2021 Domaine Borie Blanche Terroir D’Altitude AOP La Liviniere
This was a blend of Syrah, Grenache, and Mourvèdre, with black fruit, full-bodies, fine tannins, and a cocoa finish. Powerful yet elegant expression of the Languedoc’s top terroir. Niche offering, alternative premium Rhône, and schist freshness. Pairs well with slow-cooked lamb. Wine Enthusiast awarded it 93/100 points.
Merryvale Vineyards, St. Helena, California
Jeff Crawford, Winemaker Merryvale Vineyards
Winemaker Jeff Crawford from Merryvale Vineyards provided attendees with the opportunity to experience “The Legacy of Profile Across Decades: A Journey of Terroir, Precision & Longevity.” Merryvale Vineyards was established by the Schlatter family in 1983 in Napa Valley where their main varietals are Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot, and Sauvignon Blanc.
What defines their wine is the Mountain Soil: thin, rocky soils that cling to the hillsides as vines struggle to survive, Soil Forming Process: created in place, Wine Style: small, intensely flavored wines with structured tannins and complex aromatics, and Provenance: the primary breakdown of underlying bedrock.
Jeff noted the Climate Comparison between World Class Cabernet Sauvignon Dominant Regions of Napa Valley, Bordeaux, and Bolgheri, and while similar, Napa Valley has the highest heat, largest diurnal shift, and driest harvest window.
Napa Valley stands out due to high growing degree days and large diurnal shift with the result of simultaneous ripeness of tannin, flavor, and acid. Also important is that greater daytime heat versus maritime regions builds mid-palate density and tannin scale, while cooler nights maintain freshness and definition, with the result of power and freshness.
Tasting Notes: Profile 2004
This wine was made with a blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot, and 4% Cabernet Franc, 14.5% Alcohol By Volume. This beauty had heady aromatics, tannins still showing through, which demonstrated its luscious aging ability. It received an award rating of 97 points.
Tasting Notes: Profile 2014
This wine was made with 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot, and 5% Cabernet Franc. Rating: 97 points. Jeff noted that “vintners are using words like “quality,” “depth of flavor” and “excellence” to describe expectations for the 2014 vintage in Napa Valley. The weather was perfect, there was an abundant and strong crop, and the harvest started and ended earlier than usual beginning with first grapes picked in July 30th, and nearly all harvested by the third week in October, a full two weeks ahead of harvest schedule for most wineries.
Tasting Notes: Profile XXXVI, made with 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petit Verdot, and 2% Cabernet Franc. It received a rating of 98 points from The Wine Independent and 97 points from Decanter. This wine was made from 35 vintages of bottled Portfolio from 1983 to 2018 and were hand decanted in an oxygenless tank, with each bottle receiving individual screening. The wines were blended with the 2019 vintage of Profile, which was still in barrel, with the resulting Profile XXXVI blend aged for an additional 6 months in neutral French oak.
Maximilien De Billy & Debra C. Argen
Until next time, cheers!
Read more about the Albert Bichot USA Roadshow Tasting 2026 in the Wine Cellar section.
Read more about Albert Bichot Wines in the Wine Cellar Section of Luxury Experience – Albert Bichot Chablis 2023 Appellation Protégéé, Domaine Long-Depaquit, Albert Bichot Crémant de Bourgogne Brut Réserve, Joseph Mellot Pouilly-Fumé Le Troncsec 2023, France, Lorgeril Wine Tasting Luncheon at Updland, NYC, NY, USA, and Joseph Mellot Pouilly-Fumé Le Troncsec 2022.
For more information on Albert Bichot, as well as their full selection of wines, please visit the website: www.albert-bichot.com or visit their social media pages: www.facebook.com/domainesalbertbichot and www.instagram.com/domainesalbertbichot.
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