2002 De Saint Gall Orpale Zero Dosage - Limited Edition
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Orpale is the prestige cuvée from Champagne de Saint-Gall. The Blanc de Blancs is sourced from Grand Cru vineyards in the villages of Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Cramant, Avize and Oger, and spends over a decade on its lees. Now over two decades old, this is a deep, golden shade in the glass – and yet the wine still tastes incredibly youthful. It has a real brightness, tropical, almost mango fruit, more delicate floral tones and pithy grapefruit. Linear, chalky, driven with gorgeous vibrancy and 3g/l dosage, this is a stunning wine that will continue to evolve over the next five-plus years.
Critic scores
James Suckling
Richard Juhlin
More reviews and scores
Almost as unredeemed as Comtes from the same vintage, a champagne that, by the way, for natural reasons is similar. Roasting, lime, lemon, vanilla, acacia, yes everything is there under the tight elegant freshly washed and freshly hatched dizzying surface. Now it has woken up and is wonderful.
This is beautiful and complex, with layers of preserved lemons, oyster shells, sourdough, pears, salted caramel, toast, chalk and walnuts. Dense and concentrated, with silky bubbles. Vinous and flavorful. Long. Drink or hold.
This is really rich and incredible with layers of fruit and a fresh finish. A pure chardonnay that shows wonderful depth of fruit and length. Very vinous. Comte de Champagne competitor from a cooperative. Don't miss it.