Champagne Diebolt-Vallois Brut Fleur de Passion 2002 represents a rare and complex expression of Cramant's Chardonnay style.
Initially, the elegant Chardonnay aroma reveals notes of lime blossoms, green apples, white cranberries, minerals, and toasted almonds. As the Champagne continues to open in the glass, peaches, citrus, fresh fennel, and coconut emerge. On the palate, the wine is refreshing, precise, and energetic, boasting a subtle mineral structure and a gentle, long-lasting mousse.
Cuvée Fleur de Passion is one of the most important Champagnes from the Diebolt-Vallois house, crafted exclusively from 'Chardonnay' grapes harvested from old vines in the renowned Grand Cru village of Cramant. This exceptional Champagne is only made in the best vintage years.
The base wines were fermented and aged in oak barrels, and malolactic fermentation was avoided to preserve the wine's pristine purity. Filtration and fining were also not performed, allowing the unique terroir to fully express itself.
The dosage for this vintage is 3 g/L, further emphasizing its original character.
Serve 8-10 °C with oysters, grilled shellfish or fish carpaccio.
Despite its extreme youth, a fantastic wine today filled with beautiful pear-dominated fruit and lovely oak-oriented Montrachet tones. Even more beautiful and cirrus-embossed Montrachet style at the last tasting.
100% old vine Chardonnay from several plots in Cramant, with elevage in small oak barrels. The Diebolt’s sensibly opted to keep this wine on lees for much longer than is usual, given the rather pointed acidity from the lack of Malolactic fermentation. Such beautiful flowery-fruit on the nose! Light and weightless on the palate, and so perfectly balanced. A rare combination of intensity and finesse, and a finish to die for. The best wine I have ever tasted from Diebolt. Stunning!
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.
