2013 Diebolt-Vallois, Fleur de Passion - Champagne Blanc de Blancs, Extra Brut, Grand Cru - 1 Bottle (0.75L)

Ratings from professional critics Diebolt-Vallois Fleur de Passion 2013 Tim Atkin 96/100 The French Wine Review 95/100 Description Diebolt-Vallois Fleur de Passion 2013 This vintage Blanc de Blancs cuvée, made exclusively from the Chardonnay grape variety, is the flagship of Maison Diebolt-Valois. It is the result of a selection of 7/8 plots of 60-year-old vines in the locality Les Buzons in Cramant (100% Grand Cru). Their east/south-east exposure, combined with outcropping chalk soils, offers low yields and grapes with great aromatic power, which contain minerality and salinity. In the cellar fermentation is done "the old-fashioned way", alcoholic fermentation in barrels, malolactic blocking, no filtering or fining, and aging in Burgundy barrels of a wine. Finally, a low dosage of 3 to 5 gr/liter depending on the vintage is made at the final setting. With a limpid and sparkling color, this cuvée opens with very fine notes of yellow peaches, gooseberry blossom, then we feel the smoky notes of flint, walnuts and mushrooms. The effervescence is very delicate and the fruit on the palate is firm, fresh and juicy at the same time. It is enhanced by its buttery side (typical of Cramant) and pastry, with smoked spices and this mineral and saline sensation which partly gives it its freshness. This Fleur de Passion 2013 is a complex vintage, both airy and powerful, generous and fresh, with exceptional depth and length. It will successfully accompany a sea bass with virgin sauce, and for gourmets a simply Paris-Brest.