Characteristics and Tasting Tips for the Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru 2018 Franck Bonville

Tasting

Colour

The colour is a pale gold, at times verging on deep gold, enlivened by a fine, persistent effervescence typical of the great blancs de blancs of the Côte des Blancs.

Nose

The nose opens with floral notes of white blossom, accompanied by citrus and white fruit, before revealing delicate nuances of brioche and almond, the result of long ageing on lees in bottle.

Palate

On the palate, this Champagne unfolds a texture that is both fresh and enveloping, underpinned by a saline thread characteristic of the chalky terroirs of the Côte des Blancs. The balance between mineral freshness and ripe fruit extends into a persistent, mouthwatering finish.

Food and Wine Pairing

This Champagne is ideally paired with fine fish, shellfish and crustaceans, but it also works beautifully with raw or lightly marinated dishes, which respect its freshness and mineral precision.

Serving and Cellaring

We recommend serving this Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru 2018 at a temperature of between 10 and 12 °C, and storing it in a dark cellar, with the bottles lying flat, in order to preserve its freshness and ageing potential.

Other Characteristics

This Champagne is crafted in an extra brut style, with very low residual sugar, allowing the minerality and freshness of the terroir to express themselves fully.

A Grand Cru Champagne True to the Saline Minerality of the Côte des Blancs

The Estate

Champagne Franck Bonville is a family-run house based in Avize, in the heart of the Côte des Blancs. The vineyard, covering approximately fifteen hectares, is planted exclusively with Chardonnay in Grand Cru villages such as Avize, Oger, Cramant and Le Mesnil‑sur‑Oger. The house has built its reputation on a specialisation in blancs de blancs and on a constant pursuit of precision, purity and ripeness in its wines.

The Vineyard

The vineyard from which this Grand Cru Champagne originates extends across several emblematic villages of the Côte des Blancs, notably Avize, Oger, Cramant and Le Mesnil‑sur‑Oger. The soils are predominantly chalky, providing excellent natural drainage and favouring the expression of pronounced minerality. The vines are planted at various altitudes, and the harvest is carried out exclusively by hand.

The Vintage

The 2018 vintage in Champagne was marked by a mild spring followed by a particularly hot, dry summer, providing optimal ripening conditions. This combination allowed the grapes to achieve beautiful aromatic richness while retaining a freshness preserved by the chalky soils of the Côte des Blancs.

Vinification and Ageing

The vinification of this Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru 2018 relies mainly on stainless steel tanks. The wine then benefits from extended ageing on lees in bottle, developing a subtle balance between tension, aromatic complexity and generosity.

Grape Variety

This Champagne is made from Chardonnay, the sole grape variety cultivated by the House across its entire Grand Cru holdings in the Côte des Blancs.