The 2017 vintage of Champagne Claude Cazals embodies the purity of Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru in its most crystalline form. Made exclusively from Chardonnay grapes grown in theOger terroir, in the heart of the Côte des Blancs, this vintage reflects the house's vision: precision, verticality, and elegance. A champagne of great finesse, where chalk expresses itself with integrity and brilliance.
2017 was a vintage of balance and freshness for the Côte des Blancs, giving rise to a vibrant and refined wine that is floral, chalky, and exemplary in its tension.
The production of the 2017 Vintage Champagne Claude Cazals
The terroir
TheOger vineyard, classified as Grand Cru, rests on pure Campanian chalk soil. This deep substrate ensures perfect drainage and regular water supply, giving the wine its straightforward and saline structure. The south-facing exposure promotes complete ripeness, balanced by the mineral freshness characteristic of the Côte des Blancs. In 2017, the grapes reached a beautiful aromatic maturity while retaining a balanced tension.
Vinification
The grapes are slowly pressed at low pressure, yielding very clear juices. Alcoholic fermentation takes place naturally in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats. Aging on fine lees for several months before bottling allows the wine to gain density while preserving the precision of the fruit. After bottling, the wine rests on lees in the cellar for more than five years before disgorging and minimal dosage. This patient work reveals a Blanc de Blancs that is both straightforward and full-bodied.
The 2017 vintage
A year of contrasts, 2017 offered ideal conditions for the Chardonnays of the Côte des Blancs. After an early spring and a bright summer, the harvest yielded healthy grapes with a perfect balance between ripeness and acidity. In Oger, the chalk magnified this tension, producing a precise, floral, and finely saline champagne. The 2017 Cazals vintage seduces with its verticality and brilliance, typical of the great pure chalk terroirs.
Tasting notes
Color
Bright pale yellow with golden highlights. Fine, regular effervescence. Crystal clear and persistent cordon.
Nose
Delicate nose of white flowers, lemon zest, and wet chalk. Notes of fresh hazelnut, green apple, and light brioche. The whole exudes the precision and purity of Chardonnay from Oger.
Palate
Lively and chiseled attack. Straight and crystalline texture. White fruit mingles with a persistent chalky tension. Beautiful length with salty and slightly buttery notes. Clean, long and brilliant finish.
Food pairing suggestions
The purity of the Chardonnay and the mineral integrity of the vintage call for precise and elegant pairings. Seafood, white fish, or lightly creamed dishes enhance the finesse and freshness of the wine.
- Shucked oysters
- Lemon-marinated salmon
- Parmesan gougères
- Seared scallops
- Fillet of sole with white butter sauce
- Poultry with light cream sauce
- Poached apple with honey
- Light lemon tart
- Vanilla soufflé
Storage and serving
Storing this vintage
Store the 2017 vintage at a constant temperature of 10–11°C, lying down in a dark, humid cellar. This Blanc de Blancs, aged for a long time on lees, gains complexity over the years. Avoid temperature fluctuations and vibrations. If the bottle has been transported, allow it to rest for 48 hours before tasting to stabilize the foam and aromas.
Aging potential
Optimal window: 2024–2034. In its early years (2024–2027), the wine will express the lemony freshness and mineral tension of Oger. Between 2028 and 2032, the palate will gain in fullness with notes of hazelnut and toast. From 2033 onwards, the structure will become more mellow, the texture buttery and the salinity softer, reflecting the harmonious evolution of the vintage.
Serving
Serve at 9–10°C in fine tulip glasses. Open 10 minutes before serving to allow the tension to soften without decanting. An ice bucket with two-thirds water and one-third ice will maintain the ideal temperature throughout the tasting.
