Ayala Blanc De Blancs 2016

A tricky vintage and an especially complicated vintage for Pinot Noir in 2016, the 2016 Champagne Le Blanc De Blancs is a bright silver-yellow hue and offers an airy and springy floral bouquet in its pastoral notes of white flowers, honeysuckle, fresh pear, and dewy earth. Medium-bodied, it’s more rounded on the mid-palate, with a fluffy mousse and supple notes of quince and fresh brioche dough. It’s elegant and approachable, with its citrus profile lasting on the clean finish. It has more substance but remains elegant and refreshing and does not feel dilute. Drink 2024-2034. Dosage was 5 grams per liter and it was disgorged in November 2022.

A blend of fruit from the Côte des Blancs, this fine, crisp apple-flavored Champagne is taut, tightly textured and with plenty of aging potential. Drink from 2025.

The 2016 Le Blanc de Blancs is one of the better wines I have tasted here of late. Exuberant and quite expressive, the 2016 soars with cents of lemon confit, marzipan and sweet spice, all in a forward, open-knit style that offers good near-term appeal. All this needs is a bit more focus in its bouquet, but is still a big step up from the past. Light tropical accents linger on the close.