Paul Lebrun Cuvée Inspirée par Marie Louise Vintage Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Cramant (Sparkling white)

2015

Pale lemon. Hints of toasty, smoky oak on the nose with leafy peppery notes. Quite weighty oaked toffee flavours coming through on the palate, balancing the crisp white lemon fruit giving this a big, broad, smooth-talking vanillin richness and hints of exotic fruit. As the wine opens up these sweet tropical notes come more to the fore with ripe pineapple, orange and pomelo acidity. A firm mineral structure, a hint of a whisper of oaked tannins more subtle pepperiness and a hint of cedar phenolics on the finish. Overall neutral elegance with beautifully integrated fruit, acidity and weight. The bubbles are really quite ephemeral, the fruit a pleasing combination of delicacy and structure and a lovely blanc de blancs character.

Tasted October 2022