The 2017 Extra-Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Le Bateau Vieille Vigne is a sensual, expressive wine, bursting with aromas of crisp orchard fruit, mandarin oil, lemon zest, tart stone fruit, pastry cream and nutmeg. Full-bodied, layered and seamless, it's deep and concentrated, with a fleshy, enveloping core of fruit, pristine balance and a long, saline finish. This isn't the most powerful vintage of Le Bateau that Adrien Dhondt has produced to date, but to my palate, it's the most harmonious and compelling so far. - WA
WA97August 2022