2004 David Leclapart Champagne Cuvée l'Apôtre
David Léclapart is a biodynamic farmer who makes scintillating pure, energetic, grower Champagnes from Trépail within the Montagne de Reims region. Trépail is a Premier Cru village that lies just to the North-East of the heavy hitting Grand Crus of Ambonnay & Bouzy, which are both Pinot Noir dominant in their plantings. Trépail on the other hand is planted mainly to Chardonnay (87%) but what it does have in common with its revered neighbors, is the best vineyards are South-East facing and lie at around 160 to 200m in altitude.
Léclapart is from the Selosse school of producers, turning our wines that are bone-dry and thought provoking…almost always they are quite tightly bound and decanting can do them the world of good. The L’Apôtre is an oak-fermented Blanc de Blancs sourced from the Pierre Saint Martin vineyard, planted in 1946 and farmed biodynamically since 1996…it see’s 30 months on lees in bottle.
White mousse over a pale lemon gold in hue, it is at first quite unforgiving before relaxing in the glass and giving up aromas of lemon curd, pastry, crunchy apple, white chocolate, lifted white flowers and deeply etched minerality. There are some light autolysis characters in there also…some enchanting mushroom broth and subdued marmite notes.
The palate seems fused and over compact at first with a peircing acid line, slightly metallic even and begs for more time in the cellar to evolve. But again slowly it begins to show the goods….citrus and apple, fresh pastry, white flowers, minerals and almonds. The fruit purity is heady and the acidity is crystalline and cleansing. Finishes bone-dry with superb cut & balance. Fantastic stuff.
Price:$280
Closure:Cork
Alcohol:12.5%
Leclapart
How many points are you on that?
I’m no points on that you twerp….read the about page
Disappointing….Then who were you drinking it with?
Ahhhh…..I may be able to help you out there….stay tuned
On a more serious note…had this a couple of weeks ago, it is a great wine, its almost electric, makes the hairs on your arms stand up (unless you are like Walsh and dont have any). But much better at the 80 or so euro it cost me in Germany than the Aussie price.
Agreed….the pricing of these wines is fairly hefty in the antipodes….80 yiros sounds a lot more appealing
The first shipment was bought when the dollar was in the pits and I got lumped with six months of storage in France. The next shipment should come in around $220. And of course the government’s margin is higher than mine
It’s a cracking wine Nev….whens the next shipment due?
My arms are smooth Ballin whereas yours are Chimpanzee like in both shape and hairiness, although not as strong. Wine sounds too acidic and not sweet enough.
Too acidic and not sweet enough hmmm…..you have a fish finger palate Walsh….disappointing
I just got word that his stuff is coming into the states! I haven’t tasted his wines but a good friend of mine said they’re very Selosse-like… which means I’ll have a hard time keeping my hands off ‘em.
Excellent news my man!…..I reckon you will love them….a very exciting producer.
Offer going out today on the next shipment. Pre-arrival pricing for a new batch of Apotre 04 is $174.95. Due in March. Go you good Aussie dollar