'96 Points - Tyson Stelzer - Champagne Guide

The levels of minerality and mouth filling texture crank up a notch here, elongating and drawing the wine out with lingering persistence. A wine of tremendous, coiled-up energy, in a finely-honed style built around beautifully structured chardonnay blended from across the Côtes des Blancs – no mean feat, with four-fifths of the blend from the lesser 2005 vintage. White flowers, white fruits and lemon citrus are all present here, with almond notes on the finish. Partial malolactic fermentation (with 2g/L of malic acidity remaining to keep it defined and fresh) and a low dosage of 8g/L sugar keeps everything in consummate balance. Domi recommends it with seafood, particularly white fish and oysters.