Champagne Valentin Leflaive, Avize 17-40 Grand Cru Extra Brut Bl. de Blancs

Champagne Valentin Leflaive Avize 17-40 Grand Cru Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs is a finely cut, Chardonnay-driven Champagne from one of the Côte des Blancs’ most admired Grand Cru villages. With its tension, mineral depth and refined richness, it captures the modern Valentin Leflaive style while showing the classic elegance that has made Avize such a benchmark for Blanc de Blancs.

Tasting Notes
Pale and luminous in the glass, it opens with an expressive nose of orange peel, white flowers, buttered pastry, green apple and toasted notes, all wrapped in chalky mineral nuances, summer peach and brûléed citrus meringue. The palate is crisp, dry and tightly focused, with a striking chalk-like line of acidity balanced by creamy, silk-like bubbles and a touch more breadth than the producer’s Mesnil-sur-Oger cuvée. This is a Champagne of real complexity and energy, finishing long, saline and mouthwatering. While already highly engaging, it also has the structure to evolve gracefully over the next several years, gaining even more depth and nuance.

Production
Made from 100% Chardonnay sourced from chalk-rich parcels near the Grand Cru village of Avize in the heart of the Côte des Blancs, this cuvée comes from sustainably farmed, hand-harvested fruit from vines around 20 years old. The wine is based on the 2016 vintage and includes 17% older reserve wines for added complexity and balance. Primary fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, followed by a minimum of 42 months aging on the lees. It was disgorged in August 2021 and finished with just 4 g/L dosage, placing it firmly in the extra brut category.

Food & Serving
An excellent match for fried oysters, seared scallops, steamed white fish, or dishes served with fish roe and a bright beurre blanc. Serve well chilled at around 8–10°C, and consider a short decant only if you prefer a slightly broader expression, though it is best enjoyed fresh and precise straight from the bottle.

Producer
Champagne Valentin Leflaive is known for a modern, terroir-focused approach that highlights the nuance of Champagne’s finest sites, especially in the Côte des Blancs. The house has quickly gained a reputation for producing precise, elegant, and highly expressive Champagnes built around single-village identities and meticulous blending. Its wines have become especially well regarded among fans of dry Chardonnay, thanks to their purity, tension and mineral detail. The Avize cuvée stands out as one of the producer’s most impressive releases, reinforcing Valentin Leflaive’s status as a name to watch in premium Champagne.

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