Champagne Diebolt-Vallois Brut Fleur de Passion 2008

Inside Burgundy

96 / 100

The actual product may vary from the images shown on the website.

CountryFrance
RegionChampagne
AppellationChampagne AOC
Varieties
- Chardonnay - 100%
Wine style
- Noble, concentrated and full-bodied traditional method sparkling wine
BrandChampagne Diebolt-Vallois
Volume0,75 L
Alc.12,5%

400,00 €

Description

A vintage Champagne made from Chardonnay from Cramant Grand Cru, produced from grapes grown on old vines. “Fleur de Passion” is made only in exceptional vintages.

The nose reveals notes of linden blossom, green apple, white berries and toasted almonds, complemented by citrus, peach, fresh fennel and subtle coconut tones. Extended aeration brings out more mature aromas, with delicate notes of pastry, nuts and dried citrus emerging.

On the palate, the Champagne is dry, fresh and precise, with the acidity characteristic of the 2008 vintage still clearly present. Chalky minerality provides tension, while extended ageing on the lees adds further texture. The finish is long, dry and complex, combining notes of citrus, apple, nuts and minerality.

“Fleur de Passion” is made exclusively from Cramant Grand Cru grapes harvested from old Chardonnay vines. The base wines are fermented and aged in oak barrels, while malolactic fermentation is deliberately avoided to preserve acidity and maintain the precision of the fruit and terroir. The wine is neither filtered nor fined, preserving its natural structure as much as possible.

Dosage for the 2008 vintage: 3 g/l.

Serving recommendations

Serve at 8-10 °C with oysters, grilled shellfish or fish carpaccio.

Rating

96 / 100

Inside Burgundy

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! Tasted May 2020.

About brand

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.

Blanc de Blancs (100% ‘Chardonnay’) is the house's flagship style, renowned for its clean aromas of citrus fruits and white flowers, along with mineral notes. Extended aging on lees imparts complexity and elegance to the Champagnes.
While the winery also produces Brut and Rosé Champagnes, “Blanc de Blancs” remains their calling card.

Prestigious Vineyards

The majority of Diebolt-Vallois's vineyards are located in prestigious Grand Cru villages:

Cramant Grand Cru is one of the most famous villages of the Côte des Blancs, renowned for its elegant and mineral-driven ‘Chardonnay’.
Chouilly Grand Cru is also highly regarded for its high-quality ‘Chardonnay’, lending softness and complexity to the Champagnes.
Le Mesnil-sur-Oger Grand Cru is considered one of the finest terroirs of the Côte des Blancs, and its ‘Chardonnay’ is characterized by exceptional minerality and aging potential.
The winery also owns vineyards in the Premier Cru village of Cuis.

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.