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  • Country ranking ?

    1 058
  • Producer ranking ?

    4
  • Decanting time

    15min
  • When to drink

    2020-2035
  • Food Pairing

    Seafood, Salads & Consommes

The Tb points given to this wine are the world’s most valid and most up-to-date evaluation of the quality of the wine. Tastingbook points are formed by the Tastingbook algorithm which takes into account the wine ratings of the world's best-known professional wine critics, wine ratings by thousands of tastingbook’s professionals and users, the generally recognised vintage quality and reputation of the vineyard and winery. Wine needs at least five professional ratings to get the Tb score. Tastingbook.com is the world's largest wine information service which is an unbiased, non-commercial and free for everyone.

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The Story

L’Apôtre is the estate's top cuvée — a single-vineyard champagne from the La Pierre St-Martin vineyard, with vines planted in 1946 by Léclapart's own grandfather. The wines are barrel matured in order to match the concentration and intensity of grapes from these old vines. In each vintage, L’Apôtre is known for presenting the greatest complexity and expressiveness of any of the cuvées.

 

Léclapart uses no reserve wines, instead producing each champagne from a specific vintage that appears on the label. Chaptalization was only performed in 2001 and 2007, and the initial fermentation uses only wild yeast. Amateur and half of Artiste are aged in enameled steel tanks, while the rest are matured in oak casks. To stabilize the wines and avoid the use of sulfur, all cuvées undergo malolactic fermentation. The wines remain "sur lie" until shortly before the next vintage's harvest and are filled without fining, filtration or cold stabilization. All champagnes are zero dosage.

Leclapart's wines are notable both for their extremely high quality, yet also an uncompromisingly distinctive nature. They are remarkably pure and nuanced, and express the essence of Trépail. The wines are released relatively young, as Léclapart lacks warehouse space. Ideally the champagnes will be allowed to mature for several years in the cellar before being enjoyed. Decanting is recommended should the champagnes be opened young, as they can be otherwise inaccessible in their youth.

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Vintage 2004

A great example of how large yields do not necessarily mean poor quality in Champagne. As a reaction to the previous year's low yields, the vines produced one of the largest crops on record. The growing season proceeded without major difficulties but the bumper crop called for bud thinning. August brought about cooler weather and some rains, increasing the risk of rot. The massive crop, averaging 13,990 kg/ha, was picked from September 18th onwards. The quality was a pleasant surprise; vibrant wines with appropriate intensity, refined charm and refreshing lightness. This vintage impresses me more and more, and I feel tempted to give it the full five stars. It comes with a rare balance of freshness, lightness, yet fine aromatic intensity. Post-release, this vintage has proven to be slow to age, and elegant wines are likely to keep on ageing gracefully. Dom Pérignon and Louis Roederer Cristal both excelled.

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Latest Pro-tasting notes

<10 tasting notes

Tasting note

color

Medium, Green-Yellow and Bright

ending

Endless, Smooth, Pure and Acidic

flavors

Mineral, Floral, Nutty, Buttery, Herbs and Citrus

nose

Open, Pure, Complex and Fresh

recommend

Yes

taste

High in Acidity, Warming, Medium tannin, Concentrated, Unbalanced, Multi-dimensional, Developing, Fresh, Vigor, Fruity and Dry

Verdict

Impressive

Written Notes

2004 l'Apôtre Concentrated but muted and a bit backward nose with yellow and golden apples fresh nuts, butter, floral notes and a pronounced minerality. Bit muted though very serious nose. You can just sense the underlying complexity that probably will need years to develop fully. Big bodied and powerful attack but with a smooth mousse. Golden apples, waxy lemon zest, roasted nuts and grapefruit. Very long finish bursting with minerals, just keeps going and going. Fantastic structure and staying power but way to young now. Drink 2016-2030 94p.
  • 94p
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1 official sellers in 1 countries

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Information

Origin

Trépail, Champagne

Grapes

100% Chardonnay
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