House of Arras Grand Vintage 2017

Light, bright yellow/straw in the glass, with aromas of herbs, celeriac and green apple, smoky/toasty tertiary characters in the background, and everything in lovely balance—no one thing dominating. The mousse is creamy on the palate with fluffy texture and a lovely dry, appetising finish which is soft, balanced and dry. Great length and tension. A seriously smart sparkling wine, ageing slowly and gracefully. 98 points – Huon Hooke, The Real Review

69/31% chardonnay/pinot noir fermented in a combination of stainless steel and new tightly grained French oak barriques (6%), disgorged November ’24. Finely bubbled, with an expressive swell of grapefruit, lemon, apple and poached pear fruits with underlying nuances of fresh brioche, apple butter, crushed stone, ocean breeze, nougat and crème brûlée. The toasty tones grow on the palate, along with grilled nuts and soft spice. A tight, umami-rich acidity brings everything into line and provides a harmonious cadence as the wine sails forward. Finishes long and true with just a light phenolic texture and ample complexity. 96 points – Dave Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion