| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Champagne |
| Colour | White |
| Type | Sparkling |
A 50/50 blend of two high-maturity vintages, 2019 and 2018, and disgorged in May 2026 with a dosage of one gram per liter, the NV Blanc de Noirs Grand Cru Les Crayères is brilliant, demonstrating what high-quality massal-selection material is capable of in a great terroir. Unfurling from the glass with a deep bouquet of Anjou pear, mandarin oil, brioche and lemon confit mingled with nuts, it is medium- to full-bodied, layered and concentrated, with a richly flavored core of fruit enlivened by racy acidity and a pillowy mousse, concluding with a long, saline finish. Simultaneously grandiose and vibrant, it has every prerequisite to develop beautifully over the next decade or more. It is the standout wine in the cellar this year. Readers will recall that it is sourced from a south-facing lieu-dit in Ambonnay planted between 1946 and 1947 in shallow soils, with just 30 centimeters of topsoil over chalk bedrock. Drink 2028-2043.
