Agrapart Champagne Grand Cru 'Minéral' 2016

Everything about Pascal Agrapart oozes modesty and tradition. He adopts very non-interventionist, chemical-free methods (although has no interest in being certified, just in case of rare emergencies), as well as extensive lees ageing. Made from a blend of two different Chardonnay parcels - Le Champ Bouton in Avize and Les Bionnes in Cramant - Minéral is all about fruit and chalk. With a northern Burgundy-like raciness, it shimmers with notes of lemon pith and green apples, bound together with a distinctly salty minerality. Complex truffly notes emerge with time - and boy does this age well.