France, Champagne, Avize
Grape: 100% Chardonnay
Dosage: 7g/L
Ageing: 5 years on lees
The term Cuvée signifies the first juice that come out of the press (and therefore the best). This champagne is made from grapes from one vineyard in Avise, where the vine is aged 65 years: “the Clos du Grand Père”. The Cuvée has a light golden colour with subtle green glints and the bubbles are fine and light.
(AG=95) The NV Brut Cuvee St. Denis emerges from a single parcel of old vines in Avize. A rich, vinous Champagne with gorgeous savory and mineral overtones, the Cuvee St. Denis boasts fabulous resonance and texture. Layers of fruit build to a vivid, breathtaking finish as this voluptuous Champagne shows off its considerable personality. This is the purest essence of old-vine Avize Chardonnay. Simply put, I can't recommend the Cuvee St. Denis highly enough. Readers who can find it should not hesitate, as it is a real head-turner. The current release is 60% 2009 and 40% 2008. Disgorged June 2014. Dosage is 7 grams per liter.
(RP=94) Disgorged in June 2017 with seven grams per liter and derived from a parcel of old Chardonnay vines in Avize, the latest rendition of Varnier-Fanniere's NV Brut Grand Cru Cuvee St-Denis opens in the glass with notions of waxy lemon rind, confit citrus, fresh peach, white flowers and warm biscuits. On the palate, it's full-bodied, broad and concentrated, with chewy extract, a tight-knit core and brisk acids, revealing a youthfully frothy mousse and a long, chalky finish. This has a very promising future ahead of it. (WS=92) Atypical yet seductive. Extremely fragrant, evoking red berry, tropical fruit and vanilla aromas and flavors, all matched to a firm structure and dense texture. Powerful yet graceful with a terrific finish. Drink now through 2006.