Diebolt-Vallois Fleur de Passion 2015

100% Chardonnay, Blanc de Blancs

Sourced from 7-8 different sites, all cultivated with old slopeside vines (facing ESE). Especially from the Grand Cru site of Les Buzons (Cramant). Other parcels include: Pimonts, Goutte d’Or, Rouillées, Fourches and Gros Monts.

The vines average between 40-60 years of age, although in some cases they are believed to be even older.

Miniscule yields.

Terroir: Thin soil layer over chalk parent rock.

Vinification: Primary fermentation takes place in small, old Burgundy Barriques. The wine sees no malolactic fermentation, filtration or fining. Anything that could potentially stress the wine is avoided; this preserves and develops the maximal expression of terroir. Following primary fermentation, the wine is matured for one year in barrique.

Dosage: 3g/l

Fleur de Passion is a serious and traditional champagne inspired through the hard work of Jacques Diebolt (see Winemaker Profile). A rare jewel needing considerable time in the bottle in order to develop its full and stunning potential.

Nicola OKT25 - Vintage 2015: Intense, beautiful nose; for the warm year 2015, this Fleur is currently wonderfully fresh and leans more towards the mineral side. Fine spice, nice length, currently not fully developed. Balanced, complex, compact body. If opened now, decant at least 1 hour before. Otherwise, ideally let it mature for at least another 6 months. It will reach perfection in about 2-3 years.

Nicola FEB24 - Vintage 2013: Super generous with elegant delicacy and the lightly vibrating freshness of 2013, truly sings, buoyant, butter, brioche.

Moritz FEB24 - Vintage 2013: WOW!!!...There's so much going on that I find it hard to put the drinking experience into words. Everything is very calm and harmonizes perfectly with each other. Aromas of white chocolate, raspberry, roasted almond, butter brioche, salted lemon, and salted caramel waft towards you very subtly. The palate is round, full-bodied yet still very fine and elegant. The entire range of aromas is also found on the palate and is supported by a light saltiness. After 10 years, the Fleur de Passion is still super fresh...Yes, almost youthful in the glass. The finish seems endless. The taste after swallowing (excuse me, but one simply cannot spit out this champagne) just doesn't want to end. Truly grand champagne cinema.

Tasting Andreas Langre - Vintage 2013: Fleur de Passion is one of few series of which I´ve had the privileged to try from first to last. The 1995 & 1996 was amazing and if I had to choose just one bottle from both years to fill up the cellar, it could possibly be FdP. A few years ago, I was fortunate enough to attend a vertical 1995-2008 and since then unashamed indulged in several 2010 & 2012 as well as the last 1996:s and various vintages. The 2013 is very longed for and descending the nose in the glass immediately puts a smile of relief and pleasure on my lips. Relief because this is a true-to-vintage masterpiece, sporting that emblematic dusty minerality I always yearn for in this kind of wine.

Though recently released, the 2013 opens more eagerly than the 2012 sibling and is already flexing the butter smeared, fleshy fruit loins. Vanilla sprinkled juicy apples, ananas & sticky cape gooseberry. Then delicious, perfectly ripe mango, served in oyster shells. The developed glass gives a preview of what´s to come for this one within just a few years: Dark chocolate, liquored cherries, cacao (this is the oak speaking), preserved fruits, white flowers, & leather. Outstanding!

The mouth is divine as well! Dangerously drinkable already, lush & juicy with abundant minerality & stunning, salivating acidity. Quite complex, with great intensity and impressive length. This wine will perform perfectly for decades but is enjoyable today as well. Accessible and in every aspect – stunning! 

Tasting FEB20 - Vintage 2010: Very charming release, slightly lighter, not as much body as e.g. 2008, currently of course still too young, ultra-beautiful, nutty finish, extremely long, acidity well integrated.

Tasting FEB19 - Vintage 2010: Currently still young, rather less acid, flowery, extremely long finish, creamy, round, balance

Tasting FEB19 - Vintage 2007: Isabelle Diebolt: "Fleur 07 is like a black Chanel dress, reduced elegance" We could fully subscribe to this.

Ratings:

Vinum magazine: Dec. 2011: 19 /20 (2002)

Gerhard Eichelmann: ***** (2004) - ***** (2005)

Decanter: ***** (vintage 2002)

GaultMillau Wine Guide: 18½ (2005) - 19 (2004) - 19 /20 (2002)

Richard Juhlin - 8,000 Champagnes: 96 pts (2008) - 93 pts (2005) - 93 pts (2004) - 95 pts (2002) - 92 pts (2000) - 94 pts (1999) - 95 pts (1998)- 95 pts (1996)

Wine Spectator: 93 pts (2005)

Stephen Tanzer International Wine Cellar: 93 pts (1998) - 92 pts (1999) - 93 pts (2005)

Sommeliers International: Wonderful moment of happiness (2006)

Guide Revue du Vin de France:  18½ (2002) - 16 (2006) - 16½ /20 (2007) - 18 (2008)