View 2013 Champagne Catalog - Michael Skurnik Wines

Pehu-Simonnet Blanc de Blancs Brut, N.V.
KPS-2
Disgorged Nov. 2012; still all Mesnil, from parcels on the hill, and in fact it’s the only pure Mesnil we have at the nonvintage
level. It’s all `09 now, really firm yet lithe, mineral yet creamy; it has the vintage sternness but also a real terroir
spine; there’s a certain bite that isn’t sharp. If 2009s go the way I think they will, this could be wonderful.
Pehu-Simonnet “Selection” Brut, N.V. j KPS-1
By its very nature this is remarkable Champagne; as glowy and sumptuous as one could ask from a “luxury” item, yet as
specific and distinctive as one could desire from farmer-fizz.
It’s 70% 2010 and 30% a “perpetual reserve” (as Péters does them) dating back to 2006. 60% PN (Verzenay-Verzy-Sillery)
and 40% CH (Verzenay alone), disgorged Aug 2012; it’s really creamy and fruit-forward, surprisingly more so than last
year’s, and it’s entirely delicious and approachable—a “boy is this tasty” sort of wine; lots of terroir focus and breed yet
doughy and sanguine. If you must have specific associations, think cardamom and salsify.
Pehu-Simonnet “Transparence” Extra-Brut, N.V.
KPS-5
All 2007, all Verzenay, 80-20 PN-CH, disgorged Nov. 2012, and very dry. It remains a strong terroir statement in a
sternly dry yet perfectly balanced form; it’s masculine and capable—it could fix your car—but it’s a little stoic and broody,
buckwheat-y and morel-like.
Pehu-Simonnet Blanc de Noirs Brut, N.V. j KPS-6
This will always come from two climats in Verzenay, Pertois and Noues; this year it’s all 2009, disgorged Dec. 2012; the
aromas are dramatic, with some of the mead-like apple-cellar notes we know from Lallement, but Pehu’s wines have more
muscle and broader shoulders. It’s long and crackery and salty. It should be in every swag-bag they hand out at IPNC.
(NOTE: there’s a vintage 2006 in the wings for later this year; he’s doing dosage trials now.)
Pehu-Simonet
Pehu-Simonnet Rosé Brut, N.V.
KPS-3
Based on 2010, with 25% of the “solera” started in 2006 and 8% still PN also from `10. Disgorged Oct. `12. Deep-fruited
aromas, thick vinosity but also mussel shell and white mushrooms; a silky texture and the “shadiness” of `10. 2009 is
blazing almost oppressive sunlight, but `10 is cool fresh shade. This is not a “lady’s” rosé unless the lady is a NASCAR
driver. I got hungry for duck-breast with “forbidden” black rice, morels and sunchokes.
Montagne de Reims
33