Diebolt-Vallois Cuvee Prestige 150 cl (magnum)

Grand Cru vines embedded in the historic strong-hold of Cramant give this prestige cuvee it's distinctive character. The Diebolt-Vallois Cuvee Prestige may cost less than many bottles, but its three year assembly – including reserve wines aged for a minimum of 2 to 3 years – helps ensure its quality.

At the beginning of the process are the vines, swiftly followed by the grapes. All hail from The Pimonts – an area with a very specific chalk foundation covered by a thin layer of soil that gets the best of a south-east exposure. In short, thanks to the reserves being aged in oak casks, there is a roundness and complexity to the Diebolt-Vallois Cuvee Prestige that is also very complex.

In the words of Jacques Diebolt himself, this cuvee demands a great deal of work and is a “collection of 3 years,” with 50% retained by lighting and “50% in vats”.

At present, 22% of the reputed 2004 vintage (high lightning) and 30% of 2005 make up the base for the blend. A further 48% of 2006 is held in tanks and all the resources were bottled in 2007. Mr Diebolt goes on to say that “As often in Grand Cru, this is an assembly of work and balance”.