2012 Franck Bonville "Pur Mesnil" Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne

Sourced from three vineyards in Mesnil (Les Zailleux, Le Tilleul and Les Hautes Mottes) that were picked on the same day (24th of September), Olivier Bonville's citrus colored 2012 Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Pur Mesnil shows a deep, intense and chalky-mineral bouquet of crushed limestones intertwined with ripe, concentrated fruit aromas (most of all lemons) and delicate herbal (marjoram) and flint stone notes. On the palate, this is a full-bodied, tight, dense, dry, salty, vibrantly fresh and persistently mineral Blanc de Blancs with remarkable purity on the long and lemon-fresh finish. The 2012 impressively reflects the complexity of the Mesnil terroir, and its precise, fine and mineral finish indicates excellent aging potential. There is stimulating grapefruit freshness and bitterness in the finish. (SR) 93+

Spoiler alert! This isn't arriving until late October of this year. I had a sample bottle today of this special, first-time release (with two other village designated releases) and it is not to be missed once it arrives. A low dosage of 4g/l does not necessarily make for any teeth chattering acidity! A honeysuckle and white stone fruit nose that is very pretty. Hints of cream, key lime and meringue. Super long finish! Very pretty texture and finesse. Super limited and perfect for those Champagne geeks of you out there. Also look for the "Pur Oger" and "Pur Avize", which are completely different.