2018 Pascal Agrapart Grand Cru Avizoise Blanc de Blancs, Champagne

Disgorged July 2024. 

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.

94 points Tom Hewson decanter.com

Pascal Agrapart is a highly respected grower-producer in the Champagne region, known for crafting artisanal, terroir-driven Champagnes. The Grand Cru Avizoise Blanc de Blancs is made exclusively from Chardonnay grapes grown in the prestigious Grand Cru vineyards of Avize in the Côte des Blancs. Agrapart is dedicated to organic viticulture and traditional winemaking, using indigenous yeasts and aging their wines on lees to enhance complexity. This Champagne is a true reflection of the Avize terroir, showcasing precision and elegance.

Pascal Agrapart Grand Cru Avizoise Blanc de Blancs offers an intense bouquet of white flowers, citrus, and toasted brioche. On the palate, it displays remarkable depth, with flavors of lemon curd, green apple, and a touch of almond, underpinned by vibrant acidity and a creamy texture from extended lees aging. The minerality from the chalky soils of Avize adds a crisp, saline edge, leading to a long, sophisticated finish. This Champagne is ideal for special occasions or pairing with delicate seafood and shellfish.