Fleur de Passion is the jewel in the range from the house of Diebolt-Vallois. Fermented and aged in barrels, it is only made in the very best years.
Appellation: Champagne
Varieties used: 100% Chardonnay, Blanc de Blancs
Terroir: The grapes come from 7 or 8 plots of old vines planted on hillsides - especially the fields known as Les Buzons - in the village of Cramant (village classed 100% Grand Cru). These vines are all over 40 years old and many of them are 60 years old or even more. Yields are low. The soil consists of a thin layer of earth over a chalk base. The overall exposure is to the East-South-East.
Vinification: Alcoholic fermentation takes place in barrels. Malolactic fermentation, filtration and fining are all avoided. Anything which might stress the wine is proscribed, so that the terroir can express itself as fully as possible. The wine is aged in burgundy 1-wine barrels. This is a "old style", traditional champagne.
Dosage: 6-8 g/l
Serving temperature: 9°C in summer, 10-11°C
in winter
Decant15 minutes before serving to show this wine off to its best.
Decanter: ***** (vintage 2002)
Richard Juhlin - Champagne Guide 2008:
1996: 95 /100 - 1998: 95 /100 - 2000:
93 /100
1997: 94 /100 - 1999: 96 /100 - 2002:
95 /100
Stephen Tanzer International Wine Cellar:
92 /100 (1996) - 93 /100 (1998) - 92
/100 (1999)
Wines & Spirits: 92 /100 (1999)
Michael Franz (Wine Review Online): 95 /100 (2002)
Jacques Dupont - Le Point: 17,5 /20 (2004) - 17 /20
(2002)
Guide Vin GaultMillau: 18 /20 (2000) - 19 /20
(2002)
Guide Revue du Vin de France 2009: 18,5 /20 (2002)
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