Waris Larmandier Champagne BdB Grand Cru Particules Crayeus Zero Dosage

Waris Larmandier Champagne Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Particules Crayeuses Zero Dosage is a strikingly pure expression of Chardonnay from some of Champagne’s finest chalk-laden vineyards. Crafted without dosage, it offers an unadorned, mineral-driven profile that shines a light on its exceptional terroir. This cuvée is ideal for those who appreciate precision, tension, and authenticity in their Champagne.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, Particules Crayeuses shows a pale, luminous straw color with fine, persistent bubbles forming a delicate bead. The nose is incisive yet elegant, opening with chalk dust and crushed seashells, followed by notes of green apple, lemon zest, white flowers, and a hint of fresh almond and brioche from extended lees contact. On the palate, this is a linear, saline and vividly dry Champagne with laser-like acidity balanced by a creamy texture from its aging on lees. Citrus (grapefruit, lemon peel) and crisp orchard fruits meet nuances of wet stone, smoked salt, and subtle hazelnut, finishing long, chalky, and mouthwatering. The zero dosage style underscores purity and structure, making it both refreshing now and promising with age. With proper cellaring, it can develop added complexity—think toasted nuts, honey, and more pronounced brioche—over 5–10 years, depending on disgorgement date and storage conditions.

Production
Particules Crayeuses is sourced exclusively from Grand Cru Chardonnay vineyards in the heart of the Côte des Blancs, where deep chalk and thin topsoils imprint the wines with signature tension and minerality. The grapes are hand-harvested at optimal ripeness to preserve natural acidity and aromatic clarity. In the cellar, Waris-Larmandier favors gentle pressing and a meticulous selection of the cuvée, followed by fermentation in a mix of stainless steel and, in some cases, small oak or foudres to enhance texture without overt oak flavor. Extended aging on the lees builds complexity and creaminess, allowing the terroir to fully express itself before disgorgement. No dosage is added, resulting in a Champagne that is completely dry and transparently faithful to its chalky origins.

Food & Serving
This zero dosage Blanc de Blancs is superb with pristine seafood: oysters on the half shell, scallop crudo, sashimi, or a classic plateau de fruits de mer. It also pairs beautifully with goat cheese, fresh chèvre tarts, lightly dressed ceviche, and simple grilled fish with lemon and herbs. Serve well chilled, around 8–10°C (46–50°F), to highlight its tension and finesse. A brief 15–20 minutes in the glass or a quick, gentle decant in a chilled carafe can help the wine open its aromatics, especially if enjoyed a few years after disgorgement.

Producer
Waris-Larmandier is a grower-producer Champagne house with deep roots in the Côte des Blancs, born from the union of two long-established winegrowing families. Based in some of the region’s most prized Chardonnay villages, the domaine has built a reputation for crafting terroir-driven, characterful Champagnes that emphasize chalky minerality and precision. Working primarily with estate-grown fruit, Waris-Larmandier focuses on meticulous vineyard care, low yields, and thoughtful, patient winemaking. Their wines, particularly their Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru bottlings, are increasingly recognized among connoisseurs for their clarity, tension, and fine gastronomic potential, contributing to the modern renaissance of artisanal grower Champagne.