Champagne Waris Larmandier – Cuvée Empreinte Millésime – Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs 2008

Sparkling wine with a quite intense, youthful mousse; quite deep colour here, in the medium-golden range, somewhere. Very fine nose here, it’s pure, intense at the same time; showing off quite elegant aromas. To me this is more ripe Chardonnay I would say, perhaps Grand Cru Chardonnay style, showing off some of those beautiful stone fruity notes of peach, apricot. We also have some nuts like almond paste, butter. It’s a creamy style but no indication of oak and no oxidation, more in a pure restrained style – yet ripe. Very nice palate here, and I like this combination of ripe juicy yellow fruit; but it’s probably extra-brut style, not a lot of dosage. Very good grip, you have extract there adding to that mouthwatering sensation. Fresh acidity, yet perfectly integrated as fruit is on the ripe side. Good density, good weight, long and persistent as well; very persistent. My conclusion: nicely done, very good grip, certainly a champagne that is still youthful, yet very enjoyable with a good potential for the cellar. Bloody good! Can I have a risotto with some langoustine with this, please?

Tasted by the Best Sommelier of the World, Andreas Larsson.