Vénus - 2016
Agrapart
- Region
- France » Champagne AOC » Côte des Blancs » Avize
- Type
- white traditional sparkling, brut nature
- Producer
- Agrapart
- Vintage
- 2016
- Disgorged
- 2021-05
- On lees
- 48 months
- Grapes
- Chardonnay
- Alcohol
- 12.5
- Sugar
- 0
- Volume
- 750 mL
- Cellar
- not available
Ratings
Starting the dinner with this wine was an extraordinary experience. It presented a sophisticated, delicate, and slightly perfumed bouquet, masterfully blending notes of chalk, bruised apple, damp cellar, citrus oil, wet earth, iodine, toasted almonds, and biscuit. The wine was focused and charged with energy, setting a high bar for what was to come.
Upon tasting, the wine revealed a concentrated, sharp, and resonating character that captivated the senses. Its depth and length were remarkable, offering a tasting experience that was both complex and nuanced. The finish was long and distinctly saline. Gorgeous wine.
Agrapart
Agrapart et Fils, led by the fourth-generation vigneron Pascal Agrapart, exemplifies the fusion of traditional craftsmanship and innovative winemaking in the heart of Champagne's Côte de Blancs. Based in the village of Avize, Pascal, along with his brother Fabrice, has transformed this historic family domaine into a beacon of quality and complexity in the Champagne region.
Established in 1894 by Arthur Agrapart, the domaine has a long-standing tradition of estate bottling, a practice that predates many of the smaller grower Champagne houses. Pascal Agrapart, known for his humility and expertise, has been instrumental in shaping the domaine's reputation for producing some of the most refined and complex Champagnes in the region.
Pascal's approach to viticulture is deeply rooted in respect for the land and the vines. The vineyards, some over 70 years old, are farmed organically, a practice that Pascal views not as a marketing tool but as the correct way to farm. This dedication to organic farming is reflected in the exceptional quality of the grapes, which are predominantly Chardonnay, from the Grand Cru vineyards in the Côte de Blancs, primarily in Avize, Oger, Cramant, and Oiry.
In the cellar, Pascal's talents as a winemaker shine through. He employs indigenous yeasts for fermentation and adopts a low-intervention approach to preserve the natural character of the wines. Each parcel is vinified separately in used 600-litre barrels, and the wines are finished with minimal dosage to highlight their terroir-driven profiles.
The Agrapart range includes several distinctive cuvées, each reflecting the unique terroirs of Avize. These include the "Les 7 Crus," a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from Premier and Grand Cru vineyards, and "Terroirs," a pure expression of Grand Cru Chardonnay. The vintage-dated "Parcellaires" cuvées – "Minéral," "L’Avizoise," and "Vénus" – each capture the essence of different parts of the Avize hillside, showcasing the influence of chalky limestone and clay on the wines.
In addition to these, Agrapart produces two micro-cuvées: "Complantée," a blend of six varieties from Avize, and "Expérience," a unique cuvée made without any added yeast, sugar, or dosage. "Expérience" is a testament to Pascal's innovative spirit, only produced when conditions allow for this natural method of secondary fermentation.
Agrapart et Fils' Champagnes are renowned for their purity, elegance, and expressive minerality, making them highly sought after by connoisseurs and collectors. Pascal Agrapart's dedication to expressing the terroirs of Avize, combined with his meticulous approach in both the vineyard and cellar, has rightfully placed Agrapart et Fils among the elite producers in Champagne, continuing to inspire and lead in the region's ongoing quality revolution.