Agrapart & Fils - Minéral Extra-Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru 2004

Bettane & Desseauve

About the domain :

Pascal Agrapart is the talented craftsman behind this family estate, one of the most sought-after in Champagne. The historic four-hectare vineyard, inherited from his great-grandfather, was seriously restored to working order by his father Pierre in the 1960s. Today, with his son Ambroise, Pascal carefully cultivates 12 hectares (made up of over 70 parcels), mainly classified as Grand Cru, in Avize, Oger, Oiry and Cramant. Agrapart champagnes flow with subtlety along the Côte des Blancs, so dear to the hearts of those who love lightness and elegance, unfolding a straightforwardness and precision on the palate that are out of the ordinary. The range includes three vintage cuvées each year, expressions of three different terroirs: mineral on the limestone of Avize and Cramant, avizoise on more clayey soils and vénus, a micro-cuvée from the limestone and clay of Avize. All these champagnes, without exception, are of the highest quality, with an undeniable personality and aromatic freshness of menthol and sweet spices that cancel out the sensation of acidity. Thanks to this balance, the palate is remarkably dense, both in texture and in the finish, with its punch of noble bitters. The mousse is always excellent, never excessive, and finely supports the ageing process, even in the youngest cuvées (the wines are partly aged in 300- and 600-liter barrels and in wide, shallow stainless-steel vats). While the cuvée terroirs is remarkable for an entry-level wine, it's the minéral that most grabs our attention for its excellent value for money and its perfect representation of the Agrapart style. As for the cuvées avizoise, vénus and complantée, they are currently unrivalled in style and breed on the Côte des Blancs. This is undoubtedly the next 5-star Champagne winemaker.

Guide des Vins Gault & Millau

About the domain :

In a very short space of time, Pascal Agrapart and his family estate, founded in 1894, have risen to the pinnacle of Champagne production in terms of quality, singular character, meticulous viticulture and recognition. The 12 hectares are spread over some sixty parcels in the dreamy Côte des Blancs villages of Avize, Oger and Cramant. Here, practices are organic, even biodynamic, but not certified, both in the vineyard and in the cellar (indigenous yeasts, no enzyming, etc.). The vineyard is entirely ploughed and the wines all express, with precision, their terroir of origin. Pascal Agrapart, one of Champagne's greatest winemakers.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the domain :

The Agrapart family, in the region since the end of the 19th century, has a superb heritage of Grand Cru Chardonnay in Avize, Cramant, Oger and Oiry, enhanced by traditional methods of cultivation and vinification. Pascal Agrapart and his son Ambroise are proud to be part of the récoltants-manipulants family. The range highlights parcel-based cuvées (malolactic fermentation done). The champagnes fermented in old barrels are among the regional benchmarks, thanks to their strong expression of Champagne minerality. Finishes are clear (with little or no dosage), with sapid, persistent flavors and hints of gentle, saline oxidation. With cellar ageing, the finesse of the bubbles is remarkable. This estate shows the way for the Côte des Blancs region, which too often takes the easy way out.