Leclerc-Briant Chateau d'Avize Blanc de Blancs Brut Zero GC 2012 (750ML)

97 JA / 96 DE / 95 VM / 94 WI

One of a handful of single vineyard châteaux in Champagne, now being made by Leclerc-Briant (although they are not owners). Crisp, clean, touches of green apple on the nose but there is weight behind this and it opens to show plenty of quince, hazlenut, biscuit and flaky pastry character, not quite as far as brioche at this point although it will develop over the next few years. The first wine to be released under the new regime, with Hervé Jestin chef de cave, as for Leclerc-Briant (he was in fact already making wine here under the previous owners). Ageing in neutral oak casks, biodynamic viticulture. 2.5ha of vines, 12%abv. Tasted twice, loved it both times, powerful depth of flavour. Brut zero (2g/l dosage), Blanc de Blancs, 100% Grand Cru. - Jane Anson, Inside Bordeaux

Smells fresh with lemon and soft floral scents. Delicate and refined, this is crips, sharp and piercing yet also layered and rich. Bitter lemon rind mixes with honeyed orange and some pie crust savoury elements to give real character. A little bit woody still, just peeking out, in contrast to the fruit, still showing its youthfulness. After a few minutes all the flavours seem much brighter in the glass, more evocative and expressive. Thrillingly precise, dry and crisp. Dosage 2g/L. Made from 100% grand cru grapes. - Georgina Hindle, Decanter

The 2012 Brut Zéro Château d'Avize is fragrant with its nose of toasted muffin, caramel, hay and marmite. The palate immediately shows beautiful, chalky depth and channels a certain sunny generosity with great freshness. While the nose shows some development, evolution on the palate is still only incipient. Clarity brightens Chardonnay's buttery creaminess and plunges it into salty chalk. Fine, saline and very long. Dosage is 2gr/L. Disgorged: June, 2022. - Anne Krebiehl MW, Vinous Media

The 2012 Chateau d'Avize Blanc de Blancs, 100% Chardonnay with dosage of 2 g/l, was disgorged in June 2022. It swans out of the glass with showy notions of honeysuckle, almond croissant, apple tart, and beeswax, plus suggestions of sea spray and shaved ginger. The palate is delicately styled and bone dry, with fantastic tension and densely intertwined chalk and spice layers, finishing wonderfully minerally. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Independent