Lanson "Clos Lanson" Blanc de Blancs Brut 2007
(Champagne, France) - [WE 97] [JD 95] [WS 93] [DM 92]

About the Winery:
Founded in 1760, Lanson is one of the oldest Champagne Houses. Drawing on family heritage and unique expertise, the men and women of Lanson have been guided for 260 years by their love of a job well done and their love for others.

The unique and authentic style of Lanson Champagnes rests on four immutable pillars: a meticulous selection of Crus (including historical villages such as Dizy, Verzenay, Trépail and more); a vinification according to the traditional Champagne principle, using low malolactic fermentation for incomparable fruitiness and freshness; a rare collection of reserve wines spanning numerous vintages over 20 years, and a longer aging in cellars.

About the Wine:
Le Clos Lanson is the only hectare of vineyard to remain within the historical walls of the city of Reims. This single vineyard of Chardonnay dating back to the 18th century offers a breathtaking view of the Cathedral. Located just above the House cellars, Le Clos Lanson benefits from a very pure, chalky soil and an exceptional microclimate which is favourable for the development of complex notes, giving life to a precious wine with exceptional mineral aromas.

Tasting Notes:
Eye - A yellow hue with green reflections, enhanced by a string of fine, delicate bubbles.

Nose - The nose opens with an intense bouquet of candied citrus fruits, aniseed and menthol, underlined by delicate notes of toasted almonds and fine pastries.

Palate - A palate of great finesse, revealing delicate notes of lime, pear and hazelnut, subtly underlined by a touch of vanilla. Both generous and precise, it seduces with its aromatic freshness and minerality.

Ratings & Reviews

97 Points - Wine Enthusiast:
"Produced from a small walled vineyard close to the Lanson winery in Reims, this is a splendid wine. Its richness is balanced by the intense freshness and minerality of the Chardonnay, with apple and citrus flavors that still in the background. Now mature, this wine is ready to drink." - Roger Voss (Dec 2018)

95 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"Planted in 1962 and 1986, the 2007 Champagne Clos Lanson is entirely Chardonnay and is fermented in small barrels and aged for 8 months prior to bottle aging. It offers a round perfume of lemon curd, custard, green apple, and ripe pear, and its opulence and freshness are well-balanced on the palate, with fine mousse, cleaning up nicely with a long and chalky texture. It has lower dosage at three grams per liter. Drink 2022-2042.

Cellar master Hervé Dantan took over in 2013 and is the third generation in his family of winegrowers. In addition to working and studying in Champagne, Mr. Dantan also spent time in Burgundy and at Gloria Ferrer in Sonoma. Historically, the winery entirely blocked malolactic fermentation, but they are no longer dogmatic about it, although they continue to strive for a crispy style. Since Hervé’s arrival, they have worked to create a vineyard team and are moving to becoming certified sustainable and using organic practices whenever possible. They work with 400 different partners in the vineyards. The vineyard La Clos de Lanson in Reims is the only urban clos in the region and is a single hectare planted to Chardonnay. It is the only parcel that is fermented in barrel, and the latest release is the 2007 vintage. The vintage bottlings are produced from Grand Cru and Premier Cru sites, with the prestige cuvées consisting of entirely Grand Cru. Structural developments include a barrel room built in 2015 and a new press house in Verzenay that opened last year. The press house is also the home of a new future clos currently of young vines facing the landmark windmill of the village. (Drink between 2022-2042)." - Audrey Frick (Nov 2022)

93 Points - Wine Spectator:
"Fragrant, featuring lime blossom and ground spice notes, this fine and creamy Champagne offers a broad range of lemon parfait, chopped hazelnut, spun honey and dried cherry flavors, underscored by chalky minerality. Elegant and well-knit, with a firm, focused finish. Disgorged July 2016. Drink now through 2030. 665 cases made." - Alison Napjus (Dec 2017)

92 Points - Decanter Magazine:
"Lemon oil and lime aromatics. The palate is rich and oaky with notes of hazelnut, quince, baked apricot pie and chamomile. Impressive length." (Jan 2021)