Pascal Agrapart Venus 2018

CRITICAL ACCLAIM:

"Disgorged in August 2024 without dosage, the 2018 Brut Nature Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Vénus, as always, derives from La Fosse aux Pourceaux, a 0.6-hectare plot of land in Avize planted in 1959, which is farmed solely by man and horse, without the use of heavy mechanical equipment. With texture defined by the maturation in old 600-liter oak barrels, Vénus is more discreet than the broad shouldered Avizoise but more demonstrative than the crystalline Minéral, despite the short distance between La Fosse aux Pourceaux and Le Champ Bouton that defines Minéral. Unfurling from the glass with aromas of honeysuckle, pear, fresh hazelnut and iodine, it is a harmonious wine with an intensely chalky profile, laden with bright acids. More elegant than its 2017 rendition, Agrapart’s desire to capture freshness and precision is very well realized in this edition." - 96 PTS, KRISTAPS KARKLINS, THE WINE ADVOCATE (12/2024)

HOUSE NOTES:

OVERVIEW: "Vintage Grand Cru Brut Nature Blanc de Blancs Champagne; This vintage wine comes from a 60-are plot in Avize (Fosse aux Pourceaux). No heavy machinery was used to maintain this vineyard, which was worked solely by hand and horse. Venus, the estate's emblem, is named after this particular plot. The wine is bottled using corks and staples. Disgorged two months before release, and with no added dosage."

ABOUT US: “Owner Grower-Producer (no purchase of grapes) in the Côte des Blancs in AVIZE. Our 12-hectare vineyard is mainly located in Grand Cru vineyards planted with Chardonnay grapes. White grapes harvested and pressed by us. Our winemaking approach is natural. The soils of our vineyard have always been maintained by tilling, and each year we apply compost made from local ingredients to the vines. The biological activity of the soil generates health and productivity in the vineyard. Our Champagne wines are neither fined nor filtered. Bottling takes place at the estate and riddling is done by hand."