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Champagne Ayala

Blanc de Blancs 2008

Champagne, France

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Ayala’s Blanc de Blancs is 100% Chardonnay, produced in small quantities in exceptional years only and fully expresses the superb caliber of great Chardonnay from the best crus of the Côte des Blancs. It is truly a unique vintage offering.

The 2008 vintage is sourced from 2 Grand Cru villages on the Côte des Blancs: Chouilly and Les-Mesnil-su-Oger. After 6 years of aging in Ayala’s cellars, remarkable minerality and low dosage make this an outstanding wine that can accompany a variety of flavorful dishes, or stand on its own.

Vineyard

Ayala Blanc de Blancs 2008 is 100% Chardonnay from 2 Grand Cru villages on the Côte des Blancs: Chouilly and Les-Mesnil-su-Oger. Ayala currently owns 35 acres in Champagne. Thanks to its privileged location in the heart of the Grand Crus of Montagne de Reims and their link to Bollinger, they also have unique access to top quality grapes.

Winemaking

Everything from grape reception to vinification, aging, riddling and disgorgement is done at the Ayala cellars. The Blanc des Blancs rests on the lees in the cellar for 6 years after disgorgement, in order to develop complexity, intensity and roundness on the palate.

Tasting Note

This opens with delicate and refined notes of hawthorne, mirabelle plum, white peach, almond and exotic fruits. The attack is precise, leading to an ample palate, with remarkable volume and a great depth. The white fruit and citrus notes are clean and focused, with a racy, chalky minerality. The finish is fine and delicate, with rare length and concentration.

Food Pairing

The purity of its aromatic character makes Blanc de Blancs 2008 the perfect epicurean apéritif, but it can also pair well with a variety of white fish, like turbot or john dory. Ideal to complement a wild sea bass with lemon butter, a pink peppercorn seasoned sea scallop carpaccio or lobster in a vanilla sauce.

Vintage

2008 was one of the best vintages from the decade. A return to a classic, dry style in a cooler year. It resulted in powerful fruit and acidity that came together harmoniously. Additionally, the expert sorting of fruit from some of the finest vineyards in Champagne helped assure that the 2008 vintage would be vibrant and produce expressive wine for this prestige wine.

Color

White

Grape Varieties

Chardonnay

Appellation

Champagne, France

Farming

Ayala encourages their growers to use organic fertilizers and avoid insecticides, herbicides and pesticides.

Alcohol

12.0%

Suggested Retail Price

$110.00

Reviews

92

"clean-cut finish"

Wine Spectator - October 5, 2018 “Rich and ripe flavors of glazed apricot and spiced plum are layered with pastry dough, graphite and spice notes in this balanced version, with a lively bead. Accessible, presenting juicy acidity through to the clean-cut finish.”

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Champagne Ayala Le Blanc de Blancs Bottle Shot

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