A. R. Lenoble Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs Chouilly 2008 (750ML)

94 WA / 93 DE / 93 WE / 92 JS / 91 WS

The A R Lenoble 2008 Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Chouilly Brut Millésime displays a beautifully intense and golden shining citrus color. This has amazing richness and gentleness on the nose but, at the same time, delicacy, precision and finesse! This bouquet is perfectly ripe and generous but also fine and fresh, representing the chalky soils and warm microclimate of Chouilly as well as perfectly ripe and healthy fruit. Any 2008 austerity here? Negative! The attack on the palate is as fine and fresh as it is pure, piquant and aromatic. Ripe and juicy fruit flavors such as pineapples, lemons and limoncello intermix with a round and creamy but by no means bold or heavy texture that is actually marked by chalk powder and iodine flavors on the finish. In fact, this 2008 Chouilly is delicate and filigreed as well as firmly structured. To me, it is an icon wine for Chouilly, and I highly recommend it, even if only to understand the highly diverse terroirs of Champagne, even in the Côte des Blancs where Chouilly is the most northern village next to Cuis. A small part (10%) of the wine was aged in oak. The finish of the 2008 is fresh and light but also intense and persistent. This is a great vin de terroir, and to be honest, I couldn't stop drinking it! Tasted April 2018. Stephan Reinhardt – The Wine Advocate

Lovely evolution on the nose, with rich tertiary mushroom and honeyed characters. Seductive, with acidity holding up well. Fine and fresh mousse- very classy. - Decanter

This is a fine wine from a great vintage. Still young, it is already showing great swathes of apple and tight citrus fruit cut with lemon zest. It has a crisp character, packed with acidity that will soften while always there. Drink this wine from 2018. - Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast

An impressive wine for the power and purity of fruit. Extremely assertive peach and lemon citrus aromas and flavors. The palate has a driving acid cut. Still very youthful, this can easily age for five or more years. - James Suckling

Meyer lemon and smoke notes are layered with flavors of glazed nectarine, almond skin and biscuit in this racy Champagne. Chalky and sleek, with a subtle finish. Drink now through 2023. - Alison Napjus, Wine Spectator