Cuvée Vive Grand Cru by Maison Cazals, presented in magnum, is a Blanc de Blancs champagne with a fresh, light and lively character. Ideal as an aperitif or with oysters and shellfish.
Cazals is based in Mesnil-sur-Oger, one of the most famous villages on the Côte des Blancs. World-famous houses such as Salon and Delamotte were born in this village, and all the big names have vineyards here. The vineyards in Mesnil-sur-Oger and the neighboring village of Oger are particularly chalky, producing lively grapes and wines that often need a few years' ageing to soften their ardor and bring out their best.
Oger and Mesnil-sur-Oger are classified Grand Cru, the highest level of the Champagne appellation. Only 17 villages are classified Grand Cru.
Cuvée Vive Grand Cru is a Blanc de Blancs champagne, meaning that only the chardonnay grape is used. The Chardonnay grapes from Mesnil-sur-Oger and Oger are vinified in stainless-steel vats to preserve maximum freshness and vivacity. The Cuvée Carte d'Or Grand Cru is then aged for 6 years in the house cellars, which are dug into the chalk to maintain a constant, ideal temperature.
This champagne is dosed as Extra Brut, at 3g/l, which lightly highlights the acidulous and floral aromas.
Cuvée Vive Grand Cru has a golden color with slightly green highlights. Its bubbles are extremely fine and lively.
On the nose, it's a very elegant, very fine champagne, offering notes of citrus and white flowers, then as the minutes go by it evolves towards aromas more reminiscent of brioche and white fruit.
On the palate, this is a cuvée with a lively, energetic attack, which then gives way to an airy, lacy mouthfeel. The finish lingers for long seconds on a saline touch.
Opinion of thewine guides