Les Regards d’Avize Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs 2014

Wine Description for Les Regards d’Avize Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs 2014 by Waris-Larmandier

Colour & Appearance

Medium golden yellow with a fine, elegant mousseux – a Champagne that already signals maturity and substance in the glass.

Nose

The nose unfolds a classic, multi-layered bouquet: brioche, patisserie and a hint of nougat testify to pronounced autolysis after five years sur lattes. Beneath lies a lush, ripe fruit layer of citrus fruits, pome fruits and stone fruits, refined by notes of dates, praline and honey. Complex, inviting and of remarkably restrained opulence.

Palate

On the palate, a well-proportioned acidity presents itself, gently framed by the silky mousseux. Ripe yellow fruit, grapefruit and orange carry the fruit line, supported by a good measure of yeast. The wine remains remarkably linear and focused through to the finish – a sign of the quality of the individual vineyard site and the craftsmanship of the house.

Finish

Long and precise, with a subtle minerality and fine salinity that impressively underscores the provenance from Avize’s chalk soils. No dosage – and it doesn’t need one either.

Terroir & Origin

The grapes come from a single vineyard site in Avize at 100 metres elevation, roughly two kilometres from the domaine. The parcel comprises merely 42.79 ares – a touch of Burgundy in Champagne. The chalk soils of the Grand Cru village of Avize are considered the epitome of mineral, high-bred Chardonnay.

Grape Variety & Vinification

Pure Chardonnay from vines planted in 1963 – old vines that deliver concentration and depth. Hand-harvested, pressed in a traditional Coquard press (4,000 kg), exclusively using the premier taille. Spontaneous fermentation and ageing in 600-litre Demi-Muids from Burgundy, followed by spontaneous malolactic fermentation. Minimum five years maturation sur lattes, hand-disgorged, without dosage. Production: approximately 700 bottles.

Food Pairing Suggestions

The salinity and texture of this Champagne make it the ideal companion for prawns with pea and lemon risotto and watercress as well as for fjord trout with Amalfi lemon mayonnaise and lightly roasted Jerusalem artichoke. For those who prefer something more savoury: roasted chicken wings with curry panko flakes and rice crackers offer an intriguing contrast to the fine minerality.

Special Features

A rarity in every sense: barely 700 bottles, hand-crafted vinification at the highest level and a terroir that is unparalleled in Champagne. With this Blanc de Blancs, Waris-Larmandier proves that greatness is not a question of quantity.