Corbon Avize Grand Cru Brut 2009
An increasingly celebrated chardonnay specialist in the Grand Cru Avize putting out long-aged vintage wines
Grape Makeup:
100% Chardonnay
Sweetness Level:
Brut
Ageing on Lees:
12 years
Price:
$$ (V)
Cellar:
5-10 years
Category:
Celebration
Photos
What
A chardonnay-specialist grower in the Côte des Blancs founded in 1971, run by fourth-generation Agnès Corbon since 2006.
Where
Avize, Côte des Blancs; 6 hectares in Avize.
Why
Only Avize Grand Cru grapes are used for their vintage wines, which are made with no malolactic fermentation to retain as much sharpness and purity as possible, which was a boon in the ripe, rounded 2009 vintage. Ten years on the lees have given it a remarkable, lightly smoky finesse.
What else
The oak-aged Bacchantes cuvée – charmingly labelled with a mustache (i.e. “bacchante”) that is a tribute to Agnès’ father Claude’s Movember facial hair – was the first to be added to the range when Agnès took over. It has a much more pungent, forceful character though still with underlying angularity to the fruit.
Tasting Notes
Intense Meyer lemon fruit dominates the nose, with tea leaf savouriness, subtle vetiver and light smokiness encircling it, smelling like an expensive cologne. The smokiness is more assertive on the palate, giving great energy on the landing, which is, again, full of pretty Meyer lemon fruit. The richness is easily offset by the brightness of the acidity, creating a beautiful sense of harmony.
Try It With
Yakitori or other grilled dishes with a smoky element.
When To Drink
Entrées.
Perfect For
The friend who loves grower champagne but not natural wine.
TL/DR
Smoky, citrussy and bright.
Supplier
Deco Wines
