2018 Champagne Agrapart, Avizoise, Blanc de Blancs, Grand Cru, Extra Brut
Critics reviews
While the Minéral cuvée hails from some of the shallowest, poorest soils in Avize, Avizoise always shows some of the roundness and aromatics of the deeper soils of the Gros Yeux and Robarts parcels. It shows a little more of the heat of the year in 2018, too, with fleshy nectarine, lime and white pepper, deep and long with citrus oil yet retaining a beguiling, papery-delicate texture that all of Agrapart's wines seem to find. For a vintage when Blanc de Blancs can be a little simplistic, this is full of nerve and detail.
Drink 2024 - 2030
Tom Hewson, Decanter.com (May 2024)
About this WINE
Champagne Agrapart & Fils
Champagne Agrapart & Fils is a family-run Champagne house located in the village of Avize, in the heart of the Côte des Blancs. Established in 1894, the domaine has passed through four generations, with Pascal Agrapart currently at the helm. The estate is known for its focus on terroir-driven Champagnes, particularly those made from Chardonnay, which thrive in the chalky soils of the region. Agrapart produces its wines from its 12 hectares of vineyards, many of which are classified as Grand Cru, in villages such as Avize, Cramant, and Oger.
What sets Agrapart & Fils apart is its commitment to sustainable viticulture and minimal intervention in the winemaking process. Pascal Agrapart practices organic farming, and using indigenous yeasts and minimal sulphur ensures that each cuvée truly expresses the unique qualities of its terroir. The Champagnes are aged on lees for extended periods, resulting in wines with complexity, texture, and a distinctive minerality. The estate’s flagship cuvée, "Vénus," named after the family horse that tills the vineyard, is a particularly sought-after example of its artisanal approach.
Blanc de Blancs
In Champagne, the term Blanc de Blancs designates Champagnes made only from Chardonnay grapes. The vineyards located between Cramant and Mesnil-sur-Oger in Côte des Blancs yield the best examples of the style.
A classic Blanc de Blancs is restrained and elegant when young, yet with ageing it develops a mouth-coating brioche richness that overlays an intense expression of fruitiness. Blanc de Blancs are endowed with longer ageing potential than a typical Blanc de Noirs.
Recommended Producers: Salon, Billecart Salmon, Jacques Selosse, Dom Ruinart, Krug, Le Mesnil Grand Cru, Guy Larmandier
Chardonnay
Chardonnay is often seen as the king of white wine grapes and one of the most widely planted in the world It is suited to a wide variety of soils, though it excels in soils with a high limestone content as found in Champagne, Chablis, and the Côte D`Or.
Burgundy is Chardonnay's spiritual home and the best White Burgundies are dry, rich, honeyed wines with marvellous poise, elegance and balance. They are unquestionably the finest dry white wines in the world. Chardonnay plays a crucial role in the Champagne blend, providing structure and finesse, and is the sole grape in Blanc de Blancs.
It is quantitatively important in California and Australia, is widely planted in Chile and South Africa, and is the second most widely planted grape in New Zealand. In warm climates Chardonnay has a tendency to develop very high sugar levels during the final stages of ripening and this can occur at the expense of acidity. Late picking is a common problem and can result in blowsy and flabby wines that lack structure and definition.
Recently in the New World, we have seen a move towards more elegant, better- balanced and less oak-driven Chardonnays, and this is to be welcomed.
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Description
While the Minéral cuvée hails from some of the shallowest, poorest soils in Avize, Avizoise always shows some of the roundness and aromatics of the deeper soils of the Gros Yeux and Robarts parcels. It shows a little more of the heat of the year in 2018, too, with fleshy nectarine, lime and white pepper, deep and long with citrus oil yet retaining a beguiling, papery-delicate texture that all of Agrapart's wines seem to find. For a vintage when Blanc de Blancs can be a little simplistic, this is full of nerve and detail.
Drink 2024 - 2030
Tom Hewson, Decanter.com (May 2024)
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