2020 Pascal Agrapart Minéral Blanc de Blancs Brut Grand Cru Disg Jun26, Champagne

Disgorged  June 2026.

Mineral comes from two adjacent old-vine plots, more than 50 years old, on the border of Avize and Cramant, with very little topsoil, so the roots grow straight into the chalk. The first plot, Le Champ Bouton (in Avize), is fermented in tank for precision, while Les Bionnes (in Cramant) is vinified in 600-litre oak casks to bring out minerality. As is almost always the case, this is the saltiest, most mineral wine in the Agrapart range, with a chiselled, vinous profile and an iodine-like salinity that is distinctly Côte des Blancs. 2020 is an excellent, racy year, and it shows in the wine with its length and intensity, and the balance between its luscious waves of fruit and mouth-watering mineral freshness. Outstanding.

Pascal Agrapart has become one of Champagne's most celebrated grower producers, crafting extraordinary Chardonnay from his family's vineyards in Avize. With roots dating back to the nineteenth century, Agrapart & Fils is renowned for meticulous vineyard work, traditional methods and an uncompromising commitment to expressing the individuality of the Côte des Blancs. Minéral is one of the estate's most admired cuvées, a beautifully focused Champagne that has earned a devoted following among collectors.

Brilliant pale gold with a fine, persistent bead. Lemon oil, white peach and crisp yellow apple mingle with citrus blossom, toasted almond and crushed chalk. The palate is concentrated yet wonderfully energetic, with delicate creamy bubbles, vibrant acidity and a striking mineral character. Hints of oyster shell, fresh bread and sea salt carry through a remarkably long, dry finish.

Try it with freshly shucked oysters, grilled abalone with lemon and parsley, or delicate prawn sashimi with yuzu. Its extraordinary mineral intensity would also be magnificent alongside steamed mud crab with ginger and spring onion.

Cellaring: Drink now to 2040+. A serious Grand Cru Champagne with the structure and freshness to develop beautifully over the next decade and beyond.