2013 Agrapart Blanc de Blancs Avizoise Extra Brut

All of the natural power and breath of Avize come through in the 2013 Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru L’Avizoise. Graphite, crushed rocks and dried flowers are woven throughout a core of rich, super-expressive Chardonnay fruit. The 2013 is ample, savory and intensely mineral, but it will be even better in another few years, once all the elements have time to fully meld together. The 2013 is such a gorgeous and expressive Champagne. These 50+ year-old vines in the Les Robards and La Voie d’Epernay confer real depth and pedigree. Dosage: 5 gr/L. Disgorged: May, 2019.

This has an exceptionally detailed nose with fresh crushed stones, all shades of hazelnut, lemon blossom and grapefruit, as well as dried flowers. The palate has exceptionally fresh and piercing acidity with very fresh and frisky lemons, white nectarines and grapefruit, as well as an attractive, fresh and zesty finish. So intense. Drink or hold.

Disgorged May 2019. From the top of the village with more clay, two different parcels. Barrel fermented, cork for second fermentation. Dosage 6 g/l. 600 m between the two parcels. Deep straw. Quite rich fruit with a hint of Edinburgh rock glucose. A little hollow at the moment. And pretty pinched on the end. He opens this well in advance. Quite embryonic. Really tough on the end. Aggressive acidity for now. (JR)