2014 Diebolt-Vallois Champagne Grand Cru Fleur de Passion Brut
2014 is the current release of Fleur de Passion from Diebolt Vallois, and it's another fantastic vintage of Fleur de Passion, one of the few times this has been made with an extra-brut dosage. This Blanc de Blancs is one of our favorites, especially after meeting winemaker Jacques Diebolt several years ago. It has become increasingly challenging to obtain over the years, with very little imported, but we try our best to offer as much as we can. We love this cuvee and just revisited the 2008 not long ago. It was outstanding, and we always have a few vintages of these in our personal cellars. As we have mentioned many times, Jacques is a very serious vigneron with a strong personality and is quite energetic for a gentleman his age. He was excited to show us a copy of the Revenue de France (the longest-running French wine review magazine), where only Krug Clos des Mesnil was rated higher than his Fleur de Passion, which was undoubtedly a significant accolade. 2014 is another excellent vintage in which Chardonnay performed exceptionally well, and the Fleur de Passion is one of the top buys for Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs this year. We have low pricing today, far below the current going rate, and compared to the other tête de cuvées from the Côte des Blancs, it's a fantastic buy. Highly recommended, this is a sensational Blanc de Blancs, so don't miss these last bottles!
Vinous 95 points! " The 2014 Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Fleur de Passion, a pure Chardonnay from the Fromates, Fourches, Buzons, Gouttes d'Or, Pimonts, Gros Monts and Rouillées parcels of Cramant, opens with a smooth blend of chalk and freshly zested lemon. The base wines fermented in oak, but malolactic conversion was avoided. The palate is supremely light, svelte and slender, with exquisite expression on a tart, smooth canvas of chalk and yeast. Something playful and elegant makes the chalky soil taste so salty. The superb, creamy mousse is expertly done. Dosage is 3 grams per liter. Disgorged: April 2023. Drink between 2024-2050)"
Decanter 94 pts! The prestige cuvée from blanc de blancs specialists Diebolt-Vallois is a perennial top performer from old vines in the village of Cramant, marked out from the rest of the portfolio by its vinification in oak. The cool, calm 2014 vintage is less dazzling than the 2013 in terms of structure, but there's an instantly gratifying maple and pecan richness to nectarine tart and spiced apple here, open knit with some tropical nuances while still drawing some intensity and aromatic breadth from oak. Layered and full of charm, it is a bottling to enjoy while the 2013 continues to mature. (Drink between 2024 - 2030)
Description
2014 is the current release of Fleur de Passion from Diebolt Vallois, and it's another fantastic vintage of Fleur de Passion, one of the few times this has been made with an extra-brut dosage. This Blanc de Blancs is one of our favorites, especially after meeting winemaker Jacques Diebolt several years ago. It has become increasingly challenging to obtain over the years, with very little imported, but we try our best to offer as much as we can. We love this cuvee and just revisited the 2008 not long ago. It was outstanding, and we always have a few vintages of these in our personal cellars. As we have mentioned many times, Jacques is a very serious vigneron with a strong personality and is quite energetic for a gentleman his age. He was excited to show us a copy of the Revenue de France (the longest-running French wine review magazine), where only Krug Clos des Mesnil was rated higher than his Fleur de Passion, which was undoubtedly a significant accolade. 2014 is another excellent vintage in which Chardonnay performed exceptionally well, and the Fleur de Passion is one of the top buys for Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs this year. We have low pricing today, far below the current going rate, and compared to the other tête de cuvées from the Côte des Blancs, it's a fantastic buy. Highly recommended, this is a sensational Blanc de Blancs, so don't miss these last bottles!
Vinous 95 points! " The 2014 Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Fleur de Passion, a pure Chardonnay from the Fromates, Fourches, Buzons, Gouttes d'Or, Pimonts, Gros Monts and Rouillées parcels of Cramant, opens with a smooth blend of chalk and freshly zested lemon. The base wines fermented in oak, but malolactic conversion was avoided. The palate is supremely light, svelte and slender, with exquisite expression on a tart, smooth canvas of chalk and yeast. Something playful and elegant makes the chalky soil taste so salty. The superb, creamy mousse is expertly done. Dosage is 3 grams per liter. Disgorged: April 2023. Drink between 2024-2050)"
Decanter 94 pts! The prestige cuvée from blanc de blancs specialists Diebolt-Vallois is a perennial top performer from old vines in the village of Cramant, marked out from the rest of the portfolio by its vinification in oak. The cool, calm 2014 vintage is less dazzling than the 2013 in terms of structure, but there's an instantly gratifying maple and pecan richness to nectarine tart and spiced apple here, open knit with some tropical nuances while still drawing some intensity and aromatic breadth from oak. Layered and full of charm, it is a bottling to enjoy while the 2013 continues to mature. (Drink between 2024 - 2030)
