Thrilling, Cult Champagne
2008 Léclapart L'Artiste
Incredibly Sharp Pricing
The L’Artiste is one of the most captivating and unique Champagnes around. In a great vintage like 2008, it is shockingly good.
It’s rare to come across this Champagne at all, let alone at prices like these.
We can think of few Champagnes as authentically compelling as Léclapart's. In terms of the intersection of individuality and sheer quality, Léclapart keeps company with people like Selosse and Vouette et Sorbée.
 |
Léclapart's wines enjoy a cult status. Those who know them buy them aggressively and they disappear from the market. If you haven’t heard of Léclapart, it's probably because his production is miniscule; his domaine is a tiny 3ha.
Léclapart’s approach to winemaking is nothing short of soulful. He only produces single vintage bottlings, and works with minimal sulfur and no dosage. They are electric, singular Champagnes.
His wines exude a sense of thought-provoking and heartfelt originality. In a vintage like 2008, you simply don’t want to miss out on Léclapart's L'Artiste.
2008 is a stunning Champagne vintage. While 2002 and 1996 are defined by their power and ripeness, the 2008 vintage delivers a purity, balance and finesse that we haven’t seen since 1988. The L’Artiste beautifully captures the essence of the vintage, displaying beautiful clarity and energetic structure.
The L’Artiste is a blend of five different parcels in Trépail, a Premier Cru village north of Ambonnay and Bouzy. While the latter sites are known for their Pinot Noir, in Trepail, briny, mineral-driven Chardonnay prevails.
On Peter Liem’s Champagneguide.net, Léclapart is quoted describing the L’Artiste as "a discovery of terroir," and it’s easy to see why, especially in 2008. The 2008 L’Artiste is unabashedly vibrant and energetic, flaunting Trepail’s signature notes of smoke, chalk, and saline. There’s a seamless integration of rich stone fruits and racy acidity, enriched by a steely mineral core.
Tasting Léclapart is always eye-opening, but 2008 L’Artiste is absolutely thrilling. It’s taken me a lot of time to find this wine in enough quantity to allow an email. I’m very happy to offer it and at such a sharp price.
To order, reply to offers@crushwineco.com or call the store at (212) 980-9463.
Ian McFadden
Director, Fine & Rare Wine
Crush Wine & Spirits