James Suckling editor Zekun Shuai compiled a list of great champagnes from the “wondrous” 2008 vintage that can be found for under $100, including Champagne Ayala Le Blanc de Blancs.
As for context Shuai notes “the 2008 vintage for Champagne is full of class and pedigree.” Continuing, “The best wines from this single vintage show a combination of structure, concentration, classic cool-climate freshness, and the composed austerity, all of which give the wine great aging potential. After a few years of aging in the bottle, most 2008s are starting to benefit from the yeasty, brioche autolysis which should be more woven and chiseled to the fruit now.”
Champagne Ayala is recommended as one of 12 bottles “with consistent and noticeable quality” that can be relatively easy to find in retail. See the full list HERE
JamesSuckling_Ayala-8_28_20Related Wines
Champagne Ayala
Champagne Ayala Blanc de Blancs 2008
Champagne, France
Ayala’s Blanc de Blancs is 100% Chardonnay, produced in small quantities in exceptional years only, fully expresses the superb caliber of great Chardonnay from the best crus of the Côte des Blancs. After 6 years of aging in Ayala’s cellars, remarkable minerality and low dosage make this an outstanding wine.
Related Producers
Champagne Ayala
Champagne, France
Ayala is one of the most exciting stories in Champagne today — the definition of a boutique Champagne producer. Independently owned, a small, young and dynamic team handles every step of production from grape reception to labeling in their jewel of a facility with incredible precision, crafting Chardonnay-focused wines that deliver immense pleasure, freshness and elegance.