Champagne Lanson Le Black Reserve

Earlier this spring, I was invited to a champagne gathering and found myself in quite the dilemma. While the invitation came from a friend, many of the other guests were strangers or acquaintances I barely knew. The only requirement to attend? Bring one bottle of champagne to share. I didn’t want to show up with something too common, like Moët & Chandon or Veuve Clicquot, but I also wasn’t sure who would be there—bringing an expensive prestige cuvée might have been overkill and awkward for the group.
I checked my cellar but couldn’t find the right bottle. So, I turned to a wine shop’s selection list—and there it was: Champagne Lanson Le Black Réserve.
How did it go? Thankfully, most people brought approachable bottles under 100,000 KRW (around $75), and Lanson stood out in the best way. It delivered exceptional performance for its price, hitting that sweet spot of quality without making anyone uncomfortable.

Founded in the heart of Reims in 1760, Champagne Lanson is one of the oldest Champagne houses still in operation. Today, they produce their wines from about 400 hectares of vineyards—60 hectares of which they own themselves. Impressively, 16% of their estate vineyards are farmed organically or biodynamically. About half of the grapes they use are sourced from Grand Cru and Premier Cru villages.
Lanson is known for a few key winemaking choices: avoiding malolactic fermentation, blending in a generous proportion of reserve wines, and aging their bottles in the cellar for an extended period. These practices help create the signature Lanson style—vibrant, fruit-driven, and refreshingly crisp.

Over the years, Champagne Lanson has earned a reputation for excellence. It was one of the first Champagne houses to be awarded the Royal Warrant and has supplied Champagne to the British royal family since the days of Queen Victoria in 1900. It’s also the official Champagne of Wimbledon, a partnership that began in 1977 and became official in 2001.

The bottle I brought to the gathering—Le Black Réserve—is a relatively recent creation from Lanson’s cellar master Hervé Dantan, who has led the house since 2013. It’s crafted from grapes sourced from 80 different Crus, including 49 Grand and Premier Crus. The blend is composed of 50% Pinot Noir, 35% Chardonnay, and 15% Meunier.
On the palate, I was immediately struck by the depth and richness provided by the reserve wines—45% of the blend, with some aged for over a decade in oak casks. This contributes to its full-bodied character and complexity. The wine is matured for a minimum of five years before release, allowing it to strike a fine balance between richness and freshness. Importantly, 75–90% of the blend does not go through malolactic fermentation, which helps preserve the bright, natural acidity and pure fruit expression. The dosage is 7g/L.

Le Black Réserve is a bold and expressive Champagne, layered with notes of toasted biscuit, almonds, honey, apple, and citrus. It’s powerful yet refined, with an impressive harmony between freshness and maturity. Among the Champagnes I’ve had under 100,000 KRW recently, this one truly stood out for its quality and value.
In addition to Le Black Réserve, other Lanson cuvées available in Korea include Le Black Création N.258, Le Blanc de Blancs, and Le Vintage—currently sold in the 2012 vintage. I’ll be keeping an eye out for another opportunity to open one of these bottles at a future gathering. Cheers to great Champagne and good company!