NV Paul Launois Blanc de Blancs Composition #3 Champagne 750 ml

Hailing from one of Champagne’s most storied villages, Paul Launois’ Composition #5 is suitable for anyone looking for luxury bubbles. Exquisite in its detail and laser-like in its focus, it’s more Ferrari than Rolls-Royce—a thriller that shifts seamlessly from dazzling start to cruise-into-the-sunset finish. 

It pours pale and flaxen, with pastry dough and orchard fruit dominating the first pass. But dip again and find real complexity: Maitake mushrooms, chalk, and quince, all bound with that classic Blanc de Blancs brioche. But this wine’s richness plays a supporting role, filling in only the leanest contours of a very lithe, responsive Champagne.

While the Launois winery has earned all the luster of its sexy new ideas (including private single-barrel bottlings), they also have deep roots in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger traditions. They’ve been tending vines in the village for three generations, selling their best fruit to the top players and bottling small amounts through the cooperative system. 

But in 2013, to our great pleasure, things changed. Julien and Sarah Launois took over the estate from Julien’s father Jean-Pierre. Steeped in their village’s traditions but spurred on by an era of innovation across the region, the couple struck out along their own path. They bought space from Billecart-Salmon, for production, and renamed Champagne Jean-Pierre Launois to Champagne Paul Launois, in honor of their son, Jean-Pierre’s grandson.

The Composition #5 is 100% Chardonnay, 60% of it from the 2019 vintage, 16% reserve wine from barrel, and 24% reserve wine from stainless steel tanks. It was softened just a touch with a tiny dosage, giving the lightning-fast Ferrari, as it were, its Italian leather seats. 

Buckle up.