2006 Agrapart Blanc de Blancs Mineral Extra Brut

One of the highlights in this set of new releases, the 2006 Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Mineral boasts a serious core of pure density and fruit. This is an especially powerful, authoritative Champagne graced with superb purity of fruit backed up with intense layers of buffering acidity and minerality. Hazelnuts, dried pears, smoke and crushed rocks are some of the nuances that linger on the muscular, resonant finish. Readers will have a hard time keeping their hands off this precious Champagne, but I am also tempted to cellar a few bottles of the 2006 just to see how it develops over the next handful of years. The 2006 was made from parcels in Les Champboutons (Avize) and Les Bionnes (Cramant). Agrapart fermented the wine in neutral 600 liter barrels. Dosage was 4 grams per liter. Disgorged June 2012. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2021. Meticulous attention to farming and winemaking places Agrapart at or near the top of Champagne’s finest artisan growers. These remain some of the most fascinating wines in the region. Pascal Agrapart embodies the best of the artisan tradition in Champagnes, and his wines show it. Importers: Polaner Selections, Mt. Kisco, NY; tel. (914) 244-0404, Beaune Imports, Berkeley, CA; tel. (510) 559-1040

One of the highlights in this set of new releases, the 2006 Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Mineral boasts a serious core of pure density and fruit. This is an especially powerful, authoritative Champagne graced with superb purity of fruit backed up with intense layers of buffering acidity and minerality. Hazelnuts, dried pears, smoke and crushed rocks are some of the nuances that linger on the muscular, resonant finish. Readers will have a hard time keeping their hands off this precious Champagne, but I am also tempted to cellar a few bottles of the 2006 just to see how it develops over the next handful of years. The 2006 was made from parcels in Les Champboutons (Avize) and Les Bionnes (Cramant). Agrapart fermented the wine in neutral 600 liter barrels. Dosage was 4 grams per liter. Disgorged June 2012. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2021. Oct 2012, www.robertparker.com