quicksearch
Anthony Gismondi on Wine
Champagne Valentin Leflaive CV 18 3.0 Blanc de Blancs Extra Bruttext
93POINTS
17¼/20

Champagne Valentin Leflaive CV 18 3.0 Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut 2018

Côte des Blancs, Champagne, FranceIf Leflaive sounds familiar, you're certainly correct, as the family has been growing and making wine in nearby Puligny-Montrachet since 1580. Olivier Leflaive began this new project in Champagne, named for his young son Valentin, in 2015. The CV refers to the GC of Cramant (21%) and the 1er Cru of Vertus (52%), from base year 2018 (the label's 18) and 56%(!) reserve wines. The 40ish year old vines were fermented in stainless, and my bottle was disgorged in March 2023 with 3 g/L (the 3.0) on the label. Almond patisserie, lemon curd, and green apple lead to a meringue core, and carry through a bitter pithy lemon lattice bracketing the chalky finish. As with all there wines, there is a lovely completeness to the whole, with nothing elbowing out, and a mellow meringue to centre. Super smart, and absolutely a producer to note.Tasted: 29 September 2025Tasted by: Treve RingPrices:
BC$110.00750mlprivate wine stores
Producer: Champagne Valentin LeflaiveDistributors: Dream Wines
Grape: ChardonnayCSPC: 487763