CRAMANT VINTAGE 2016 Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs, selected plots of Cramant (Grand Cru)
100% Chardonnay, DOSAGE extra-brut : 2.5g/l
VINIFICATION : Steel tank thermo-regulated. Malolcatic fermentation.
Its location, Grand Cru Cramant, is since decades one of Bonnaire’s richest assets. The chalky soil, the flora and the sloping vineyards give their Chardonnay grapes their exceptional character, delivering delicate, consistent champagnes. Championing this exceptional terroir, drawing the best from it while maintaining absolute respect for the vines and the environment, that’s what Bonnaire is all about.
The 2016 vintage comes with a proper chalky nose with a hint of lemon and this very delicate plummy element. Delicate, thin and vivid bubbles are quick to form an elegant, pale gold crown at the top of the glass. The first sip glides down beautifully and makes you long for more. On the palate it is both creamy and sharp and is prolonged by a long mineral finish. After 7 years on the yeast with a minimal extra-brut dosage of 2.5g/l, 2016 is a matured wine of great energy and a perfect representation of what the young Bonnaire generation is capable of.
The bear which is pictured on the label is the heraldic animal of the village Cramant in the Côte de Blancs.
Flagship cuvée of the estate, this micro-blend of Chardonnays from Cramant is a vibrant testament to a single harvest year. It comes from a selection of the estate’s finest plots, ideally located mid-slope: Les Terres des Buissons, Le Bateau, Les Bionnes, Les Bourons, Les Longues Verges and Les Gouttes d’Or. These chalk soils, with their complementary exposures, provide a nuanced interpretation of the Grand Cru village of Cramant,situated in the northern Côte des Blancs and renowned for the aromatic power and minerality of its wines.
The 2016 vintage, harvested at the end of September, is characterized by slow ripening combined with high acidity, ensuring both freshness and aging potential.Vinified exclusively in stainless steel vats, extended lees aging imparts a patina of time, with lightly buttery notes, aromas of candied fruit and citrus zest. The palate opens with a direct, precise attack, evolving towards a rich, creamy texture that culminates in a saline, persistent finish, the signature of Cramant.
Note : 92 points (Bettane & Desseauve), 91 points (RVF)