Arras Blanc de Blancs 2017

The 2017 vintage in Tasmania is proving to be a superb one for sparkling wine. This Blanc de Blancs is sourced from vineyards on the East Coast, Derwent Valley and Coal River Valley. Fermentation is in stainless steel with 5.5% in French oak, to add to the complexity. 100% malolactic fermentation and seven years on lees, the dosage is relatively low on all these 2017 sparkling wines, around 3 grams/litre here. This is elegance personified, fresh, clean, bright and pristine, with notes of florals and citrus. There are oyster shell notes and hints of freshly baked croissants. While the nose gives the impression of a most ethereal style, there is serious underlying power. Hints of grapefruit emerge towards the finish. An absolutely exquisite example of the blanc de blancs style, this should have at least a decade, quite possibly considerably longer, ahead of it. For me, we can go so far as to say this is one of the very best Australian sparklings yet made.