Arlaux Grande Cuvee Premier Cru Brut

Champagne, France.....
Tom Cannavan 92
Arlaux is a Champagne grower, the family having farmed only Premier Cru vineyards in the Montagne de Reims since 1852. The Grande Cuvée spends a full three years on the lees, and is a blend of the three Champagne grapes. It is immediately appealing, the toast and depth of nutty autolysis melting into a deep orange fruitiness, a little spice and the zest of lemon completing a very alluring picture. The palate does not disappoint, both ripe and relatively full-bodied, creamy and toasty depths of flavor shot through with fine salt and lime freshness of acidity. Long and beautifully balanced, this is my first experience of Arlaux, and most impressive it is too.