Laculle Freres is a small Champagne producer whose 2018 vintage Chardonnay is presented here under the Champagne Bourdon designation. The 2018 Champagne vintage was warm and sun-drenched, producing wines of excellent natural ripeness and generous body, widely regarded as one of the finest Champagne harvests of the past decade. For a vintage Chardonnay-based Champagne from this year, the raw material would have provided exceptional sugar levels and aromatic complexity alongside the natural acidity preserved by Chardonnay's thin skins.

The 2018 Champagne vintage has attracted sustained critical attention for its quality: wines from this year are characterised by ripe stone fruit, rich texture and a natural sweetness of fruit balanced by clean acidity, well suited to relatively early drinking while also possessing the concentration for mid-term cellaring of five to eight years. A Chardonnay-dominant Champagne from 2018 at this stage should be showing the generous, accessible profile the vintage is known for.

Small-producer vintage Champagnes from warm years like 2018 often offer excellent value relative to the well-known houses, whose 2018 releases commanded significant premiums on release. For buyers interested in exploring the vintage's character across different producers and terroirs, the Laculle Freres provides an additional perspective on what 2018 Champagne can deliver from a smaller, less commercially prominent address.

Drink now through 2028. Serve at 9 to 11 degrees in a tulip flute or broad Champagne glass. Best as an aperitif or with oysters, white fish or creamy chicken preparations.

Golden with fine, persistent bubbles. The nose shows the 2018's generous character: ripe peach, apple, brioche, lemon cream and a fine mineral note. The palate is medium to full-bodied with a creamy texture, good acidity and a clean, warm finish. Approachable and pleasurable; reflects the outstanding 2018 vintage's character faithfully.