One of the local liquor stores in the small town where I live in rural Kansas got four different bottlings of Champagne Mandois. I did a search here on Mandois and found some mentions. I am looking for some thoughts or advice specifically on the following:
Rose Grand Reserve NV
Brut Origine NV
BdB 2017
BdN 2015
I have never had this producer before but we are willing to try one (or more, if you can do a good job of convincing me).
Over the years we have preferred champagne with a majority of Pinot Noir or Meunier, so we are leaning toward the 2015 BdN but I notice that the NV Brut Origine is a combined 60% Pinot Noir and Meunier. General thoughts on Mandois or specific thoughts on any of the bottlings is appreciated. Have not decided what food we will have with it. Comments on the prices are fine, but I know that they are going to be on the high side given this is a local store in rural Kansas.
The Mandois wines are solid and tend to drink well young, but they don’t stand out from the crowd; I look at them as wines you purchase when they are priced right and you want to try something new. The Vintaged Blanc de Blanc looks attractive for the price and would be worth trying if you want to choose one. I know that you noted a preference for Pinot, but the Chardonnay from Mandois tends to be richer and fuller than the Cote de Blancs style and would be interesting for you to try. The Cote Sud d’Epernay region where Mandois grows and sources a majority of their grapes from also does well with Pinot Meunier as the grape takes on a more mineral note and more precision than what you often find in the more commonly seen Marne Valley Meuniers that are grown on much more clay soil. The Brut Origine will also give you a good view into the general style of Mandois and that would be my second choice.
Historically, Mandois was an important grower in Pierry and was one of the original dozen founders of the Special Club. They were a pretty popular and important grower/small producer until probably the 1990s. Over time, they left the Club, became a negociant and lost a bit of their focus and popularity. Some strange choices like marketing their Clos Mandois wine as the “After Dinner Champagne” to be enjoyed like a fine Cognac didn’t help either. For the past decade, they have tried to grow their presence and not just sell a bunch of wine, but missing the first few grower/small producer waves of the 1990s and 2000s, really set them back.
