The 2015 Fleur de Passion is the current release of Diebolt-Vallois’ remarkable tête de cuvée, disgorged in February 2025 after nearly nine years in the cellar and finished with an unusually low, Extra-Brut-level dosage of just 4 grams per liter. This Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs has been one of our favorites for many years, especially since tasting through the range with winemaker Jacques Diebolt at the domaine. Jacques is a serious and wonderfully energetic vigneron with a strong personality, and he was particularly proud to show us an issue of La Revue du Vin de France in which only Krug Clos du Mesnil was rated above Fleur de Passion. Produced entirely from old-vine Chardonnay grown in the chalky soils of Cramant, the 2015 was fermented and raised in older oak barrels without malolactic fermentation, preserving remarkable freshness and tension despite the vintage’s natural richness. It offers citrus, white flowers, and orchard fruit layered with brioche, hazelnut, and sweet spice, all carried by a fine mousse and a long, saline, intensely chalky finish. Very little reaches the United States, and we always try to secure as much as possible. Compared with the other great tête de cuvées of the Côte des Blancs, this remains one of the top buys in Grand Cru Champagne, and today’s pricing is far below the current market. Fleur de Passion always gets our highest recommendation and is a sensational, profound, and age-worthy Blanc de Blancs not to miss!

Antonio Galloni 93 points! " The 2015 Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Fleur de Passion is a pure Chardonnay picked in Cramant. The base wines were fermented in oak but did not go through malolactic conversion. Notes of smooth, untoasted wheat and rye crumb on the nose suggest suppleness and smoothness. The palate shows slightly loose foam swirling over a svelte, bright, lemony body. This is fresh, with lovely tension and chalky depth, though it is looser than usual. Dosage is 4 grams per liter. Disgorged: February 2025. (Drink between 2025-2040)"