2012 Larmandier-Bernier Les Chemins d'Avize Grand Cru

Disgorged in March 2018 to be released later this year is the 2012 Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Les Chemins d'Avize, an impressive wine that wafts from the glass with scents of almond paste, pear, lemon and crushed chalk that are gently wood-inflected at this early stage, though I expect that will be hard to discern with a few more months on cork. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, rich and textural, with a deep and multidimensional core and a precise, lively finish. I'm looking forward to revisiting it.

The 2012 Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Les Chemins d'Avize is another powerful, deep wine that needs time in the glass to be at its best. In fact, the 2012 was not really fully expressive until it had been opened for about 24 hours. There is an inherent depth to the 2012 that just needs time to emerge. With air, the 2012 is broad and expansive, with the layers of fruit intensity and tension that are such signatures of Pierre and Sophie Larmandier's very best wines. What a gorgeous Champagne this is. Dosage is 2 grams per liter. Disgorged: March 2018.