Côte Grand Cru 2005 – Terroir d’Avize 2005

Bérêche et Fils Vintage 2005 Bottle Sizes 750ml Country France Region Champagne Appellation Côte des Blancs (Avize) Wine Type Sparkling Varietals Chardonnay Vineyard The Côte des Blancs, one of the jewels of the Champagne vineyards, extends from the north-east to the south-west, perpendicularly to the valley of the Marne and to a few kilometers of Epernay. Its slopes and its hills border the plateau of the Brie Champenoise on ten to fifteen kilometers long. As the name suggests, it is a white grape variety the noble Chardonnay which reigns supreme except at the extreme south where the Pinot Noir of Vertus quarrels its place and at the extreme north in Cuis and Grauves where the Pinot Meunier adds up. It is mainly on the chalky cliff to the Côte des blancs that the Chardonnay grape acquires all its qualities and gives the famous ‘blanc de blancs’. Soil Chalk Vinification A slow fermentation sur lies in tank. Malolactic was completed. The second alcoholic fermentation "Prise de mousse" occurs under cork sur lattes. Bottled May 2012. Disgorged December 2016. Dosage: 4g/l. Production 4,000 bottles Notes Raphaël et Vincent Bérêche - Crus Sélectionnés
Publication Vinous Rating 91

Soft, supple and expressive, the 2005 Côte Grand Cru - Terroir d'Avize 2005 is an excellent choice for drinking now and over the next few years. This is almost an ethereal, gracious style for Avize, with all the elements in the right place. Citrus and floral-inflected notes lift from the glass as this airy Champagne shows off its personality. I would prefer to drink the 2005 sooner rather than later.

– Antonio Galloni, July 2017