Franck Bonville

Millésime 2018 | Bottle 75cl

Description

Description & elaboration

The Millésime 2018 cuvée from Franck Bonville is a Blanc de blancs champagne sourced exclusively from the Grand Cru village of Avize, on the Côte des Blancs. It is a champagne with notes of vineyard peach, fresh citrus and golden brioche — a reflection of a sun-drenched vintage and a long ageing period in the cellar. On the palate, the texture is silky, carried through to a chalky, saline finish that is characteristic of the Avize terroir. A champagne crafted by Olivier Bonville in the tradition of family expertise passed down from generation to generation, in strictly limited quantities.

The Terroir

The grapes come from the village of Avize, classified Grand Cru on the Côte des Blancs. The subsoil consists of outcropping chalky limestone, which acts as a natural water reserve: the roots dig deep to draw moisture from the geological substrate, even during the driest summers. This chalky soil imparts a fresh structure and a distinctive mineral signature to the wine.

The exposure of the slopes encourages excellent grape ripeness, while Champagne's northerly climate preserves the natural acidity of the Chardonnay. The estate manages its plots within a certified sustainable viticulture framework, applying practices that respect the local ecosystem and encourage deep root development.

Vinification

This wine, made exclusively from Chardonnay, is crafted by Olivier Bonville. It is a Blanc de blancs that is typical of its geographic area. Alcoholic fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, after which Olivier Bonville carries out a full malolactic fermentation (converting the sharper malic acid into the rounder lactic acid), which refines the final texture without erasing the terroir's tension.

The wine rests for 72 months on laths in the estate's chalky cellars. This extended ageing develops autolytic aromas (derived from prolonged contact with the yeasts) of brioche and toasted bread. The Extra-Brut dosage is set at 5 g/L, a deliberately low level that allows the mineral tension of Avize to shine through. Ageing takes place exclusively in stainless steel tanks, with no oak, to preserve the purity of the fruit.

The 2018 vintage

The year 2018 was defined by exceptionally sunny weather. A wet winter replenished the water reserves in the marly soils, followed by a spring of rapid vegetative growth that was spared from late April frosts. High summer temperatures ensured a perfectly healthy vine cycle.

The Avize Chardonnay reached full ripeness by late August, with a sugar-acid balance well suited to wines for ageing. The harvest delivered a marked aromatic concentration shaped by the warmth of the season. On the palate, the generous richness of the vintage is balanced by the saline tension of the chalky terroir, with no major sorting required in the vineyard.

Tasting Notes

• Appearance

  The colour is a pale gold with green highlights. The fine effervescence feeds a persistent bead at the heart of the glass.

• Nose

  Aeration releases intense aromas of vineyard peach. Brioche notes gradually emerge, underpinned by delicate hints of candied citrus.

• Palate

  The attack is defined by a silky texture, reflecting the solar concentration of the vintage. The finish lingers with a very pronounced chalky signature.

Food Pairing Suggestions

Canapés & Aperitif Bites

• Aged Comté gougères
• Smoked salmon toasts
• White truffle tarama

Main Courses

• Roasted blue lobster
• Veal sweetbreads with morels
• Grilled line-caught sea bass

Cheese & Desserts

• 24-month aged Comté
• Creamy Chaource
• Thin peach tart

The Plus de Bulles Expert's Opinion

Also worth discovering: a vintage gem from the Côte des Blancs.

Storage & Service Advice

How to store this champagne?

Plus de Bulles ships this bottle (75 cl) in reinforced packaging specially designed for champagne transport. Once received, we recommend storing the bottle on its side, away from light — ideally in a cellar, or at least in a cool, not too dry location with a relatively stable temperature.

Ageing Potential

The Millésime 2018 from Franck Bonville will evolve over time, revealing increasingly complex aromatic registers. Its structure ensures an ageing potential of approximately fifteen to twenty years.

• Until 2030: the wine expresses notes of fresh citrus and vineyard peach. The energy of the Chardonnay carries the effervescence with great vivacity. The terroir's tension dominates the flavour profile.
• From 2031: the aromatics shift towards pastry notes. Hints of fresh butter and sweet almond begin to emerge. Time gradually rounds out the texture on the palate.
• Around 2038: the wine reaches its advanced maturity phase. Scents of dried fruit, honey and beeswax dominate the bouquet. Tertiary complexity develops without erasing the freshness of the grape variety.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this wine well chilled, after cooling in an ice bucket for around thirty minutes. A tulip glass encourages aeration and reveals the nuances derived from the chalky Champagne soil. Avoid placing it in the freezer, as this would destroy the vintage's subtle aromas.

A Note on This Cuvée

The Bonville family has been mastering Chardonnay on the chalk of Avize for several generations. The decision to produce a vintage 2018 extends this tradition: celebrating a harvest with a singular climatic profile rather than blending it into a non-vintage assemblage. This commitment to quality is equally evident in this vintage champagne signed Franck Bonville, where the winemaker adapts his approach to the variations of each individual year.