2019 Pascal Agrapart Minéral Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut Grand Cru, Champagne

A minerally Champagne with aromas of chalk, citrus, lemon pith, oyster shells, iodine and linden tree. Vertical on the palate, with floral flavors and a fine mousse. Very intense and persistent, with a medium body and long, zesty, lingering mineral acidity. 3 g/L dosage. Drink or hold.

97 points James Suckling

The 2019 Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Minéral Grand Cru is fabulous. All it needs is time to unwind. Readers should be in no rush. Bright and packed with energy, the 2019 is so classy right out of the gate. Vibrant and intensely mineral, the 2019 is very closed in on itself. That won't be a problem in a few years' time, but for now, the Minéral is a wine for the cellar. Extended saline-inflected notes punctuate the sculpted finish, adding to the wine's alluring personality. Minéral, a blend of old-vine sites in Avize and Cramant, is slow to emerge, but it's a Champagne that rewards cellaring. Dosage is 2 grams per liter. Disgorged: June 2025; multiple disgorgements throughout the year. Drink 2027-2039.

96 points Antonio Galloni, Vinous

Pascal Agrapart has become one of the most admired growers in Champagne, producing wines that have earned an almost cult following among collectors and lovers of exceptional Chardonnay. Based in Avize, the Agrapart family has cultivated vineyards in the Côte des Blancs since the late nineteenth century. Pascal, now working alongside his son Ambroise, has built the domaine's reputation through meticulous vineyard management, low yields and a deeply thoughtful approach to winemaking. Minéral is one of the estate's most distinctive Champagnes, a wonderfully expressive Blanc de Blancs that captures the chalky character of its Grand Cru origins with remarkable clarity.

Made entirely from Chardonnay grown in the Grand Cru villages of Avize and Cramant, Minéral draws its character from two contrasting vineyard exposures. The east facing parcels of Cramant contribute delicacy and freshness, while the west facing vineyards of Avize provide greater structure and depth. The 2019 vintage produced beautifully ripe fruit with excellent natural acidity, giving the wine a compelling combination of concentration and energy. Fermentation and maturation in a combination of oak and stainless steel preserve the fruit's purity while developing texture and complexity. Bottled with a low dosage, the result is a Champagne of remarkable tension, with the vineyard's mineral personality firmly at its centre.

Pale gold with a delicate, persistent bead. Lemon zest, green apple and white peach mingle with acacia blossom, fresh brioche and toasted almond. Notes of oyster shell, crushed chalk and a little sea spray emerge as the wine opens. The palate is taut and beautifully textured, with concentrated citrus and orchard fruit carried by a fine, creamy mousse. There is impressive depth beneath its lively acidity, while subtle pastry notes and a pronounced chalky character contribute complexity. The finish is exceptionally long, dry and saline, leaving lingering citrus peel, almond and mineral detail. A Champagne of extraordinary finesse, with the structure and energy to develop beautifully over time.

Fresh oysters, scallops with lemon butter or grilled King George whiting would be wonderful companions. It would also be excellent with crab ravioli, lobster with a light beurre blanc or a delicate leek and Comté tart. Serve cool rather than icy cold in a generous white wine glass, allowing its remarkable aromatic detail and texture to emerge gradually.

Cellaring: Drink now to 2038+. The balance of concentration, acidity and extended lees ageing suggests excellent potential for further development, with additional toasted and savoury complexity emerging over the next decade.