Diebolt-Vallois Blanc de Blancs

Tatler Champagne Guide 2024-2025

Grape Makeup:

100% Chardonnay

Sweetness Level:

Extra Brut

Ageing on Lees:

Five years

Price:

$$

Cellar:

Five to ten years

Category:

Celebration

What

One of the earliest in the wave of grower-producers to rise to prominence in the mid-20th century, making beautifully precise, intricate wines characteristic of the Côte des Blancs.

Where

Cramant, Côte des Blancs; 14ha in Cramant, Cuis, Chouilly, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Épernay and others.

Why

The vintage Blanc de Blancs from 2018 has all the effusive primary joy of that large, ripe crop but shows quite a bit more discipline on the palate, with lacy green accents and laser beam acidity that save it from the back palate languor of many 2018s.

What Else

Though the winery is in Cramant, Isabelle and Arnaud Diebolt’s mother comes from Cuis at the northern end of the Côte des Blancs with mainly north and northeast-facing, cool sites. Many of the grapes for the Blanc de Blancs wine come from there, likely contributing much acidity and verticality.

Tasting Notes

This has a powerfully fruity nose, with intense grapefruit, just ripe pineapple fruit, fresh ginger and ginger blossoms, but with a wholewheat bread and wet stone restraint. This beautiful, subtle tropical character continues on the fore palate but with a greener tone reminiscent of unripe green mango with dewy hints of sorrel and chervil. It remains light and ethereal on the palate, with fresh acidity thoroughly infused throughout but no harsh angles. The finish feels very dry, with just a hint of water biscuit autolysis.

Try It With

Tangy, fresh seafood dishes with a citrus element

When To Drink

Apéritif

Perfect For

Your sibling or best friend

TL/DR

Tropical fruited, green edged and ethereal

Supplier

Champagne Asia