Description
Founded in 1894 by Arthur Agrapart, this outstanding estate in Avize acquired much of its present vineyardland during the 1950s and ’60s, thanks to Arthur’s grandson Pierre. Since 1984 it has been run by Pascal Agrapart and his brother Fabrice, who have taken the domaine to ever-greater heights, emphasizing natural viticulture and the expression of terroir. The Agraparts’ vineyards are spread over 62 parcels, the majority of which lie in the grand cru villages of Avize, Cramant, Oiry and Oger. Average vine age is about 35 years, with the oldest vines in Avize over 60years.
The Agrapart Venus
A Unique Terroir. A Brut Nature champagne. Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru
A Vintage champagne.
Always a vintage champagne, this cuvee comes from a single vineyard of 60 ares in AVIZE (Fosse aux pourceaux). No heavy mechanical machines were used in the maintenance of this vineyard, which has solemnly been worked by man and by horse. Vénus is the domain’s single vineyard emblem. Bottled under cork.
Disgorged 2 months before the release date without dosage.
Tasting Notes
This cuvee comes from a single vineyard of 60 ares in AVIZE (Fosse aux pourceaux). No heavy mechanical machines were used in the maintenance of this vineyard, which has solemnly been worked by man and by horse. Vénus is the domain’s single vineyard emblem.
From a parcel planted in 1959 in lieu-dit La Fosse—and uniting more clay-rich soils from the bottom of the slope with stonier, limestone-dominated soils at the top—this bottle of Agrapart’s 2013 Extra-Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Vénus was disgorged in May 2019 without dosage. Unwinding in the glass with notes of crisp white peach, Anjou pear, warm bread and spices, it’s full-bodied, tensile and muscular, with chalky dry extract, racy acids and an ineffable sense of completeness, concluding with a long and saline finish. [96 Points, William Kelley – August 2019, robertparker.com]
