Champagne Tarlant La Vigne d'Antan 2004

Champagne Tarlant La Vigne d'Antan 2004

95/100 Parker

Drink Date : 2018 - 2030

Reviewed by Stephan Reinhardt on the 30th Nov 2017 :

"The 2004 Blanc de Blancs La Vigne d'Antan is 100% barrel-fermented Chardonnay from 50+-year-old, un-grafted vines in the "Les Sables" vineyard in Oeuilly (10,000 vines per hectare) that was pickled on October 2. This millésime was scheduled to be disgorged in autumn this year—after 12.5 years on the lees. My sample is an exclusive Brut Nature pre-disgorgment from July 2017 that I tasted in November 2017. This impressively fresh and complex single vineyard vintage fizz has a straw-yellow color and opens with a deep, pure, intense and mineral bouquet with flavors of chalk, iodine, smoke and oak, giving the perfectly ripe, rather tropical fruit an extra dimension. It is intense yet straight, pure, fresh and bone dry on the palate, with great finesse and a very good structure and mineral complexity. Provided with zero added sugar, the 2004 has enough roundness for another decade in the bottle. The wine did not undergo malolactic fermentation. This old vines Chardonnay should be perfect with many kinds of food, even lobster. However, its best position is after dinner since it cleans your palate and brings you back to life. A great and vitalizing Champagne!"

Resulting from the Lutetian era 45 million years ago, this terroir has preserved the one and only Chardonnay franc de pied vine, the true nature of the French vine. La Vigne d'Antan reveals this original chardonnay with aromas that have disappeared since the 19th century. This exclusive Vin de Champagne invites you to a tasting beyond time, towards a purity out of the ordinary.

Grape variety: 100% Non-Grafted Chardonnay (pre-phylloxera)

Terroir : Unique place called "Les Sables" in Oeuilly.

Vinification: Vinification in oak barrels, without malolactic fermentation. First fermentation in barrels and stirring, conservation until May.

Dosage : 0 g/L - Brut Nature

Colour: Golden hue with green reflections, crystalline and lively bubbles.

Nose: Intense, with melted fragrances of white flowers (acacia, linden) and Reine des reinettes. Original Chardonnay aroma.

Palate: Frank and very pure. The palate is mineral and silky, with hints of white fruits and delicate aromas of hazelnut and almond, all in lace. An exceptional cuvee as elegant as it is aromatic, its persistent freshness is unique.

Wine and food pairings : Authentic and singular, this Champagne is best appreciated with a special appetizer. A great wine with aromas that go wonderfully well with a refined shellfish cuisine.

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