Claude Cazals Blanc de Blancs

Tatler Champagne Guide 2024-2025

Grape Makeup:

100% Chardonnay

Sweetness Level:

Brut

Ageing on Lees:

Six years

Price:

$$

Cellar:

Up to five years

Category:

Culinary

What

The respected Mesnil-sur-Oger grower estate founded in 1897 by a Catalan cooper from the south of France and now led by his great granddaughter Delphine.

Where

Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Côte des Blancs; 9ha of vineyards in Le Mesnil, Oger, Vertus and Villeneuve, all planted to Chardonnay and HVE sustainable.

Why

The vintage Blanc de Blancs combines the tautness of Le Mesnil (80%) with the oomph of Oger (20%), coming from vines around 40 years old. 2012 brings its dichotomous dynamics; Cazal’s naturally plump, baroque style (with roughly 10 years of lees ageing) benefits from its higher acidity.

What Else

The non-vintage Blanc de Blancs Années Folles is much more primary, spending five years on lees instead of ten. The fruit is lush and ripe, its creamy mangosteen, mango and custard apple sheathed with a fine layer of butter pastry.

Tasting Notes

This is nutty, malty and soft, with a marron glacé and ginger cake-like moist richness and dried fig fruit. The richness continues on the palate, but doesn't read as explicitly sweet thanks to a malty savouriness, with hints of soy, less overt sweetness and lovely bright acidity. This is especially pronounced on the back, where crisp phenolics and a brown butter nuttiness help bring this to a satisfying close.

Try It With

An autumnal, warming stew or braise with chestnuts or mushrooms.

When To Drink

Main course or after dinner

Perfect For

Your gourmand uncle

Tatler Tip

For some reason this wine is beloved by uncles. Don't ask why. Maybe it reminds them of themselves.

TL/DR

Nutty, malty and soft

Supplier

Champagne Asia