Palmer & Co’s 2018 Blanc de Blancs is a champagne of absolute purity, a true signature of the House.
Unlike most Blanc de Blancs from Champagne, it draws its strength from the magnificent terroirs of Trépail and Villers-Marmery. These Premiers Crus from the Montagne de Reims, renowned for their elegance and freshness, blend harmoniously with the fruity Chardonnays of the Côte de Sézanne. The result is a wine of extreme finesse, marked by extended aging in the cellar, which gives it a silky texture and remarkable complexity.
The Production of Blanc de Blancs
This champagne is made exclusively from white grapes, seeking a perfect balance between the structure of the North and the fruitiness of the South.
A Work of Time and Precision
- Blend: 100% Chardonnay, primarily from Premier Cru-classified terroirs.
- Origin: Trépail and Villers-Marmery (Montagne de Reims) for tension, complemented by the Côte de Sézanne for richness.
- Aging on lees: An exceptional 5 years in bottle (and up to 8 years in magnum) to refine the bubbles.
- Dosage: 7 g/L, a precise dosage that respects the wine’s integrity and minerality.
The 2018 Vintage
The year 2018 has gone down in Champagne history as a sunny and exceptional vintage. Ideal climatic conditions allowed for optimal ripening of the grapes, yielding wines of supreme balance, finesse, and complexity. The cooler terroirs, such as those of the Montagne de Reims, played a crucial role here by providing the dynamism and freshness needed to enhance the elegance of the blend. It is a generous year that gives this cuvée a full-bodied character while preserving its crystalline identity. Xavier Berdin, Palmer’s Cellar Master, was able to craft a remarkable Blanc de Blancs from this exceptional harvest.
Tasting Notes for Palmer Blanc de Blancs 2018
Color
The color is luminous, a crystalline pale yellow, adorned with green highlights typical of Chardonnay from the Montagne de Reims.
Nose
The bouquet is exceptionally delicate. It opens with lively aromas of citrus and white flowers, evolving into richer notes of fresh almond.
Palate
The attack is fresh and silky. The palate unfolds with remarkable finesse, lingering long on mineral and chalky notes that highlight its purity.
Food Pairing Suggestions
- Oysters with onion cream
- Scallop Carpaccio
- Cream of pumpkin soup with shrimp foam
- Sea bass fillet with a drizzle of olive oil
- Sushi and sashimi platter
- Sole meunière with lemon zest
- Chaource (local cheese)
- Thin Lemon Tart
- Toasted and salted almonds
Storage and serving suggestions
Aging Potential
Already refined by its 5 years in the cellar, this 2018 Blanc de Blancs has an ideal structure for aging:
- 2025–2027: The wine is at its peak of mineral brightness and citrus freshness (aperitif phase).
- 2028–2030: The texture becomes creamier, with notes of almond and dried flowers becoming more pronounced.
- 2031 and beyond: Development toward toasty notes and a more pronounced saline depth.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this champagne between 9°C and 11°C. Its unwavering integrity makes it the ideal prelude to a meal entirely centered on the flavors of the sea.
