For collectors and connoisseurs, Champagne Diebolt-Vallois Brut Fleur de Passion 2004 stands as a testament to Cramant's Grand Cru excellence, offering a vibrant and elegantly evolved expression of Chardonnay from a truly remarkable vintage.
This extraordinary vintage Champagne displays a beautiful golden color with endless streams of very fine bubbles. The nose, initially fresh and elegant, presents incipient maturity with notes of lime citrus flowers, cream, and distinct minerality, gracefully opening up to reveal hints of milk chocolate and a touch of raspberry.
On the palate, it is nice and smooth, gaining weight and body with time, showcasing flavors of green apple, subtle nuts, and a delicate mushroom character. It maintains excellent freshness and acidity throughout, leading to a lengthy and persistent finish that carries a pleasant buttery feeling and enduring mineral undertones.
The Cuvée Fleur de Passion 2004 is Diebolt-Vallois's emblematic cuvée, crafted exclusively from 100% Chardonnay grapes sourced from their old vines in the illustrious Grand Cru village of Cramant (some vines over 40 years old).
Neither fined nor filtered, this Champagne is allowed to fully express the unique terroir. The dosage for this vintage is typically 6 g/L, contributing to its balanced profile while allowing its complexity to unfold beautifully.
Serve at 8-10 °C with oysters, grilled shellfish or fish carpaccio.
Located in one of the most famous villages of Champagne – Cramant – Jacques Diebolt and Nadia Vallois, together with their children Arnaud and Isabelle, run the small but highly respected Champagne house Diebolt-Vallois.
The majority of the family's 11 hectares of vineyards boast Grand Cru and Premier Cru status. The ‘Chardonnay’ grape, unofficially titled the queen of the Côte des Blancs, reigns supreme in these prestigious lands. Until 1992, this relatively unknown producer suddenly found itself in the spotlight of wine enthusiasts when “Gault Millau,” one of France's most influential restaurant and wine guides, nominated Diebolt-Vallois as Champagne Producer of the Year. Despite this sudden recognition and attention, Diebolt-Vallois has remained a family-run winery, driven by exceptionally warm and friendly people. It is a genuine pleasure for "Vyno Klubas" (Wine Club) to introduce this excellent producer to Lithuanian wine lovers.
Wine Style
Diebolt-Vallois Champagnes are characterized by exceptional elegance, subtlety, and minerality, reflecting the terroir of top-tier Côte des Blancs ‘Chardonnay’. Great emphasis is placed on freshness, complexity, and longevity.
Prestigious Vineyards
The majority of Diebolt-Vallois's vineyards are located in prestigious Grand Cru villages:
The yields from these top-tier vineyards, combined with meticulous work in the cellar, result in the exceptional quality of Diebolt-Vallois Champagnes.
Aging and Drinking Period
Diebolt-Vallois Champagnes are aged for an extended period on their lees, often significantly longer than the appellation rules require. This imparts greater complexity, finer bubbles, and a longer finish. While these Champagnes can be enjoyed in their youth, the top-tier “Blanc de Blancs” have excellent potential to age and evolve for many years, gaining even more elegance and complexity.
