Clos Lanson 2009: a single-vineyard Blanc de Blancs from a walled one-hectare clos in the heart of Reims.

Clos Lanson is a walled one-hectare Chardonnay vineyard beside the Lanson cellars, the only vines left inside the historic walls of Reims, and the 2009 is 100% Chardonnay from its third year of biodynamic farming. It was fermented in Argonne-forest oak barrels with no new oak and no malolactic, aged 12 years on its lees, disgorged in May 2022 and finished with just 3 grams per liter of dosage; only about 7,000 bottles were made. 2009 was a warm, very ripe year, and Lanson released it ahead of the cooler 2008. Georgie Hindle of Decanter (98 points) found toasted hazelnut, lemon rind and acacia, calling it "utterly charming and confident simultaneously," and rates it for drinking from 2023 to 2050. William Kelley of Wine Advocate (94 points) praises its "lovely tension and chalky back-end grip" and suggests 2020 to 2040. 12.5% ABV, 750ml.