Agrapart & Fils - Minéral Extra-Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru 1998

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

Pascal Agrapart is the talented winemaker behind this family-owned estate, one of the most sought-after in all of Champagne. The historic four-hectare vineyard, inherited from his great-grandfather, was thoroughly restored by his father, Pierre, in the 1960s. Today, alongside his son Ambroise, Pascal cultivates 12 hectares (comprising over 70 plots)—primarily classified as Grand Cru—in Avize, Oger, Oiry, and Cramant, with meticulous care and as naturally as possible. Agrapart champagnes unfold with subtlety along this Côte des Blancs, beloved by those who appreciate lightness and elegance, revealing an extraordinary integrity and precision on the palate. The range includes three vintage cuvées released each year, expressions of three distinct terroirs: a mineral-driven cuvée from the limestone soils of Avize and Cramant, an Avize-style cuvée from clay-rich soils, and a micro-cuvée crafted from the limestone and clay soils of Avize. Without exception, all these champagnes are of the highest caliber, possessing an undeniable personality and an aromatic freshness marked by menthol and sweet spices that eliminate any sensation of acidity. Thanks to this balance, the palate achieves remarkable density in both texture and finish, ending with a striking, noble bitterness. The bubbles are always beautifully sustained, never excessive, and delicately support the aging process even in the youngest cuvées (the wines are partly aged in 300- and 600-liter barrels and in large, shallow stainless steel tanks). While the Cuvée Terroirs is remarkable for an entry-level wine, it is the Cuvée Minérale that most captures our attention for its excellent value and its perfect embodiment of the Agrapart style. As for the Cuvées Avizoise, Vénus, and Complantée, they are currently unmatched in their style and character on the Côte des Blancs. This is undoubtedly the next 5-star winemaker in Champagne.

Guide des Vins Gault & Millau

About the estate:

In a very short time, Pascal Agrapart and his family estate, founded in 1894, have risen to the pinnacle of Champagne production in terms of quality, unique character, meticulous viticulture, and recognition. The 12 hectares are spread across some sixty plots in the dreamy villages of the Côte des Blancs: Avize, Oger, and Cramant. Here, practices are organic, even biodynamic, though uncertified, both in the vineyard and in the cellar (native yeasts, no enzymes, etc.). The vineyard is fully tilled, and the wines all express their terroir of origin with precision. Pascal Agrapart, one of Champagne’s greatest winemakers.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the estate:

The Agrapart family, which has been in the region since the late 19th century, owns a superb portfolio of Grand Cru Chardonnay vineyards in Avize, Cramant, Oger, and Oiry, cultivated and vinified using traditional methods. Pascal Agrapart and his son Ambroise proudly proclaim their status as récoltants-manipulants. The range highlights single-vineyard cuvées (with malolactic fermentation completed). The champagnes fermented in old barrels rank among the region’s top wines, thanks to their pronounced expression of Champagne’s minerality. The finishes are clean (with little or no dosage), featuring savory, persistent flavors with subtle oxidative and saline notes. Thanks to cellaring, the finesse of the bubbles is remarkable. This estate leads the way for the Côte des Blancs region, which too often takes the easy route.