2019 Pascal Agrapart Pinot Blanc de Noirs Brut Nature 1er Cru, Champagne

The 2019 Brut Nature Blanc de Noirs Le Champ Saint-Bernard is 100% Pinot Noir from the Agrapart family's vineyards in Avenay-Val-d'Or that also inform the Terroirs bottling. Creamy and layered, the Champ Saint-Bernard offers lovely textural resonance. Kirsch, dried flowers, ginger and spice are all seamless in the glass. This is a strong debut. Bottled with no dosage. Disgorged: May 2025; multiple disgorgements throughout the year. Drink 2025-2034.

94 points Antonio Galloni, Vinous

A complex, fruity wine that shows aromas of green apples, chalk and strawberries. Medium-bodied and powerful, with medium-size bubbles, a creamy texture, crisp acidity, a lot of tension and a chalky and toasty finish. A wine full of personality. A pinot noir brut nature. Drink or hold.

95 points James Suckling

Pascal Agrapart is celebrated for some of the Côte des Blancs' most compelling Chardonnay Champagnes, but his curiosity extends well beyond the region's familiar Blanc de Blancs tradition. Working alongside his son Ambroise at the family's estate in Avize, Pascal has earned an extraordinary reputation for wines that place vineyard character ahead of convention. Pinot is a fascinating departure from the domaine's usual style, a rare Blanc de Noirs that demonstrates just how expressive Pinot Noir can be in the hands of one of Champagne's most thoughtful growers. Produced in very small quantities, it is an exciting addition to any serious Champagne collection.

The 2019 Pinot is made entirely from Pinot Noir grown in Premier Cru vineyards, offering a distinctive contrast to Agrapart's celebrated Chardonnay bottlings. The warm, sunny 2019 growing season produced beautifully ripe fruit with impressive concentration, giving the wine a lovely combination of richness and freshness. Agrapart's restrained approach to winemaking allows the grape's natural texture and savoury character to emerge without unnecessary embellishment. Bottled as Brut Nature, with no added dosage, the wine relies on the quality of its fruit and careful maturation to achieve balance. The result is a Champagne of considerable substance, yet with the vitality and mineral definition that distinguish the finest grower bottlings.

Pale gold with a faint copper glint and a delicate, persistent bead. Ripe red apple, golden pear and white peach mingle with lemon peel, toasted hazelnut and fresh brioche. Hints of redcurrant, dried flowers and gentle spice emerge as the Champagne opens, accompanied by a subtle chalky note. The palate is beautifully textured, with concentrated orchard fruit and citrus carried by a fine, creamy mousse. Pinot Noir contributes a lovely breadth and savoury complexity, while vibrant acidity and a distinctly dry finish keep everything fresh and beautifully composed. Notes of almond, citrus oil and delicate spice linger through an impressively long finish. A wonderfully individual Champagne that combines the richness of Pinot Noir with Agrapart's unmistakable finesse.

Butter poached lobster, seared scallops with cauliflower purée or roast turbot with lemon butter would be magnificent companions. It would also be excellent with wild mushroom risotto, a delicate Comté soufflé or roast chicken with morels. This is a Champagne with the structure and texture to accompany a serious meal, particularly dishes that highlight its savoury character without overwhelming its freshness.

Cellaring: Drink now to 2038+. The concentration of the 2019 vintage, Pinot Noir structure and vibrant acidity suggest excellent potential for further development, with additional toasted, nutty and savoury complexity emerging over the next decade.