1998 De Saint Gall Orpale Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru
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Tasting notes
Orpale is the prestige cuvée from Champagne de Saint-Gall. The Blanc de Blancs is sourced from Grand Cru vineyards in the villages of Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Cramant, Avize and Oger, and spends over a decade on its lees. This is layered with aromas of lemon peel, butter, rich pastry, nectarine fruit and mineral tones. There’s great balance between earthier, more savoury notes and bright fruit. There’s thrilling tension on the palate, with a long finish full of sugared almonds. This has such lovely balance now, it’s best savoured over the next few years. What a wine!
Critic scores
Jancis Robinson MW
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
Yannick Collet, Union Champagne. 100% Chardonnay. Côte des Blancs. All of the grapes are sourced from classified grand cru vineyards. The base wines do not undergo malolactic fermentation. After secondary fermentation, this wine is left to mature on the lees for at least eight years in our cellars. Base 1998. Disgorgement date June 2011. Dosage 10 g/l. Tastes just a bit too old to me. Decay around the edges. More freshness please for my taste! (JR)
Winemaker Yannick Collet, Union Champagne. 100% Chardonnay. Côtes des Blancs. All of the grapes are sourced from classified Grand Cru vineyards. 30% of the base wines do not undergo malolactic fermentation. After secondary fermentation, this wine is left to mature on the lees for at least nine years in our cellars. Base wine 1998, disgorgement date Jun 2008, dosage 9 g/l . Smells even as though there had been some oak influence! Meaty and serious. Very solid. Very dry. (JR)