Lanson Le Blanc De Blancs Brut

Tatler Champagne Guide 2024-2025

Grape Makeup:

100% Chardonnay

Sweetness Level:

Brut

Ageing on Lees:

Four years

Price:

$$

Cellar:

Up to five years

Category:

Celebration

What

One of Champagne’s oldest houses, founded in 1760, and one of the top ten largest in production, known for its tart, no-malo style.

Where

Reims; despite losing over 200ha of estate vineyards in the early 1990s, the house has built back to an estate of 57ha (of which 16ha are at the biodynamic estate of Malmaison) with access to growers in over 100 different crus.

Why

Lanson is known for its no-malo style, which keeps the appley malic acid, a marvellous anti-ager, in play. Given the relatively soft-structured 2018 is the base, this is a real boon, and the Blanc de Blancs is currently the picture of austerity (even with its 40% reserve wine), promising to be an NV blend with bottle-ageing potential.

What Else

The Lanson vintage collection is one of the region’s largest stores of 100 year-old vintages. These are kept resting on their lees and are released periodically in tiny quantities, disgorged to order.

Tasting Notes

This is tight and restrained, with a lemon and lime tonic freshness and hints of sherbet, all rather quiet. A very intense mousse amplifies the lean, lemony profile, which runs straight down the middle with bright but not searing acidity and water biscuit leesiness that emerges on the finish. Refreshing and bright, if possibly a little austere, this builds layers toward the back.

Try It With

Flavourful fried dishes such as seafood croquettes

When To Drink

Apéritif or entrées

Perfect For

Your friend who lives on gin and tonic

Tatler Tip

This is an easy apéro wine, but also can be more than that if you want to take it through the meal.

TL/DR

Restrained and citric but layered

Supplier

Enoteca