Lanson — Freshness Without Compromise Since 1760
Lanson is a Négociant-Maison based in Reims, founded 1760. Today Hervé Dantan leads the vinification as Chef de Caves (since 2013). The Maison owns 8 hectares of its own vignoble – the Domaine de la Malmaison in the Vallée de la Marne (Verneuil, Vandières) – and works with partner growers in around 80 to 100 crus throughout Champagne.
History
In 1760, the Lanson family founded their Maison in Reims. As early as 1798, the founder's son became a member of the Order of Malta – the Croix de Malte (later Croix Lanson) became the symbol of the Maison. In 1833, Lanson created one of the very first rosé champagnes; in 1952, the rosé became a permanent part of the product range.
The oldest vintage that still lies in the Maison's collection today dates from 1904. Over decades, Lanson has maintained a library of reserve wines that now encompasses more than 20 vintages.
In 2013, Hervé Dantan took over the position of Chef de Caves. He initiated a Réserve perpétuelle – a portion is set aside from each assemblage and aged partly in stainless steel, partly in foudres – and introduced the Blanc de Blancs as a new cuvée. Since then, each création bears a number corresponding to the number of assemblages since the founding; currently the Black Création is at Création 259, the rosé at Création 67.
In 2019, the Clos Lanson, a 1-hectare walled vineyard in the heart of Reims, received HVE certification; it is cultivated according to biodynamic principles.
Vignoble & Soils
Lanson manages 8 hectares of its own vignoble under the name Domaine de la Malmaison in the Vallée de la Marne (Verneuil, Vandières). This pilot vineyard is organically certified (AB) and supplies the grapes for the Green Bio-Organic.
Additionally, the Maison sources grapes from around 80 to 100 crus throughout Champagne: Avize, Oger, Cramant, Vertus, Trépail, Mesnil-sur-Oger (Côte des Blancs); Verzenay, Verzy, Sillery, Bouzy, Mareuil-sur-Aÿ (Montagne de Reims); Dizy (Vallée de la Marne); Loches-sur-Ource, Les Riceys (Aube); Montgueux (Côte des Bar).
The soil signature is chalk (craie). The Clos Lanson in Reims has particularly pure chalk soil (sol crayeux très pur), which gives the Chardonnay minerality and precision.
Viticulture & Sustainability
The Maison emphasizes committed viticulture with precise knowledge of each parcel. The Domaine de la Malmaison serves as a pilot vineyard for organic farming and is AB-certified.
The Clos Lanson has been HVE-certified since 2019 and is cultivated according to biodynamic principles. Lanson has committed to strong CSR commitments (Corporate Social Responsibility) in environmental, social, and economic areas and is working on a transformation for a sustainable future.
Vinification
Lanson vinifies according to the original champagne principle without malolactic fermentation (MLF). However, Hervé Dantan deliberately adds a small proportion of wines with MLF to create balance: For most cuvées, the proportion without MLF is 75%, only the Clos Lanson is vinified 100% without MLF.
Vinification takes place partly in stainless steel tanks, partly in foudres and oak barrels. The Clos Lanson is vinified in barrels from the Argonne Forest.
Since 2013, Hervé Dantan has been building a Réserve perpétuelle: A portion is set aside from each assemblage and aged partly in stainless steel, partly in foudres. Additionally, the Maison has an extensive library of reserve wines spanning over 20 vintages.
The dosage ranges from Extra Brut (4–5 g/l) to Sec (28 g/l). Aging on the lees is at least 4 years (Black, Rosé, Green, White Label), usually 5 years (Blanc de Blancs, Réserve Extra Brut, Black Réserve), for vintages 10 to 12 years.
The philosophy: careful selection of Grands and Premiers Crus, vinification without MLF for freshness and vitality, long aging in the cellars. Each création bears a number – currently 259 assemblages since 1760.
The Cuvées in Detail
Le Black Création (currently Création 259)
The icon of the Maison. 50% Pinot Noir, 35% Chardonnay, 15% Meunier, selection from around 80 crus (Grands & Premiers Crus), 40% reserve wines. Without MLF (75%), four years aging, 7 g/l dosage. Fruité & Fraîcheur.
50% Pinot Noir · 35% Chardonnay · 15% Meunier · 7 g/l · 48 months · 80 crus, 40% Réserve
Le Black Réserve Brut
Identical assemblage to the Black Création, but five years aging. 50% Pinot Noir, 35% Chardonnay, 15% Meunier, 80 crus, 40% reserve wines. Without MLF (75%). Fraîcheur & Plénitude.
50% Pinot Noir · 35% Chardonnay · 15% Meunier · Brut · 60 months · 80 crus, 40% Réserve
Le Rosé Création (currently Création 67)
First rosé of the Maison in 1833, in the range since 1952. Assemblage with red wines from Bouzy, Les Riceys and the Vallée de la Marne. Pinot Noir from Loches-sur-Ource, Dizy, Verzenay; Chardonnay from Trépail; Meunier from the Vallée de la Marne. Reserve rosés from previous years. Without MLF, four years aging. Fruité & Délicatesse.
Rosé · Brut · 48 months · Pinot Noir (Loches-sur-Ource, Dizy, Verzenay), Chardonnay (Trépail), Meunier (Vallée de la Marne)
Le Blanc de Blancs
100% Chardonnay from 15 crus (9 of them Grands & Premiers Crus), mainly Côte des Blancs, Montagne de Reims, Montgueux, Vitryat. 40% reserve wines, 75% without MLF, five years aging, 7 g/l dosage. Vitalité & Intensité.
100% Chardonnay · 7 g/l · 60 months · 15 crus (9 Grands & Premiers Crus), 40% Réserve
Le Réserve Extra Brut
50% Pinot Noir, 35% Chardonnay, 15% Meunier. 80 crus (Grands & Premiers Crus), 40% reserve wines, 75% without MLF, five years aging, 5 g/l dosage. Précision & Plénitude.
50% Pinot Noir · 35% Chardonnay · 15% Meunier · 5 g/l Extra Brut · 60 months · 80 crus, 40% Réserve
Le Green Bio-Organic
Base 2018, harvest August 27, 2018. 46% Pinot Noir, 36% Chardonnay, 18% Meunier, 100% Domaine de la Malmaison (Verneuil, Vandières), organically certified (AB). 100% without MLF, four years aging, 5 g/l dosage. Fruité & Minéralité.
46% Pinot Noir · 36% Chardonnay · 18% Meunier · 5 g/l Extra Brut · 48 months · Domaine de la Malmaison (Organic)
Le White Label Sec
50% Pinot Noir, 35% Chardonnay, 15% Meunier, selection from 100 crus (50 of them Grands & Premiers Crus), 35% reserve wines. 75% without MLF, four years aging, 28 g/l dosage. Douceur & Légèreté.
50% Pinot Noir · 35% Chardonnay · 15% Meunier · 28 g/l Sec · 48 months · 100 crus (50 Grands & Premiers Crus), 35% Réserve
Le Vintage 2014
Vintage 2014, 54% Pinot Noir, 46% Chardonnay, Grands & Premiers Crus: Avize, Oger, Cramant, Vertus, Trépail, Mesnil-sur-Oger, Verzenay, Verzy, Sillery, Bouzy, Mareuil-sur-Aÿ. 100% without MLF, at least ten years aging. Complexity & finesse.
54% Pinot Noir · 46% Chardonnay · Brut · 120 months · Grands & Premiers Crus
Le Clos Lanson 2011
Vintage 2011, 100% Chardonnay from the Clos Lanson (1 hectare) in the heart of Reims, biodynamic, HVE-certified since 2019, pure chalk soil. Vinified in oak barrels (Argonne Forest), 100% without MLF, twelve years on lees, 4 g/l dosage. Minéralité & Rareté. 8,080 bottles, 250 magnums.
100% Chardonnay · 4 g/l Extra Brut · 144 months · Clos Lanson (biodynamic, chalk)
Noble Champagne
Vintage, only in exceptional years. Mainly Grands Crus Chardonnay (Côte des Blancs) and Grands Crus Pinot Noir (Montagne de Reims). More than ten years aging. Refinement & concentration.
Grands Crus · Brut · 120+ months · Côte des Blancs, Montagne de Reims
Noble Champagne Blanc de Blancs
Vintage, only in exceptional years. 100% Chardonnay, Grands Crus Côte des Blancs and Montagne de Reims. More than ten years aging. Minéralité & Précision.
100% Chardonnay · Brut · 120+ months · Grands Crus Côte des Blancs, Montagne de Reims
Vibrant Edition (Limited)
Limited edition based on Le Rosé Création, with special design case. Identical in assemblage and vinification.
Rosé · Brut · Identical to Le Rosé Création
My Tastings
- Le Rosé Création 67 · 2025-06-12
- Le Black Réserve Brut · 2025-04-11
Facts
Manchmal will man einfach Rosé. Nicht verspielt. Nicht lieblich. Sondern klar, strukturiert – mit Frische, Tiefe und einem bisschen Kante.…
Wind im Gesicht, Sonne auf der Haut – und Lanson im Glas Ein Meeting wurde kurzfristig abgesagt – daher zwei Stunden Luft. Meine Liebste kommt…
| Maison | Lanson |
| Category | NM |
| Founded | 1760 |
| Chef de Caves | Hervé Dantan (since 2013) |
| Location | 66 rue de Courlancy, 51100 Reims |
| Region | Reims, Montagne de Reims (works with all regions of Champagne) |
| Own Vignoble | 8 ha (Domaine de la Malmaison: Verneuil, Vandières) |
| Crus | 80–100 crus throughout Champagne |
| Soils | Chalk (Clos Lanson: sol crayeux très pur) |
| Certifications | HVE (Clos Lanson since 2019, biodynamic), Organic (Domaine de la Malmaison, AB) |
| Vinification | Predominantly without MLF (75–100%), stainless steel, foudres, oak barrels (Argonne Forest) |
| Réserve perpétuelle | Since 2013 (Hervé Dantan), library 20+ vintages |
| Dosage | 4–28 g/l (Extra Brut to Sec) |
| Aging | 4–12 years (up to 144 months for Clos Lanson 2011) |
| Website | lanson.com |
| @champagnelanson | |
| Phone | +33 3 26 78 50 50 |
| info@lanson.com |
Sources for this portrait: Maison website, personal tastings, CRM data and cross-checks. Fields without sufficient verification remain open.