Ragnaud Sabourin Florilege 46%

Straight Outta Ambleville

A 45yo Grande Champagne from Ragnaud Sabourin, in Ambleville. 46%. Made of Ugni Blanc, Folle Blanche and Colombard. What could possibly go wrong? 

Colour: Old gold, orange lights. Regular medium tears.

Nose: Caramelized orchard at first. Poached pears, apple juice. Elegant flowery notes on lilac and rose. Nicely honeyed. It reminds me a lot of the fresh youngness of a Grosperrin Cépages, but you find a distinct rancio on nutty scents and tinned plums that remind you it’s not the same age at all. A tad of spices on white pepper and cardamom too.

Mouth: Sweet texture. Delicious apricot marmalade aromas at first. Candied citruses, mainly lemon and orange. Light freshness on eucalyptus surrounded by round notes of vanilla stick and buttery shades. Small oaky notes and light tobacco notes in the aftertaste. Strong citruses aromas in the mouth length, mainly pink grapefruit. 

Last Notes: Full of raisins now. Still some vanilla tones, maybe more bourbon vanilla this time. Still a flowery nose. Still a nice freshness on peppermint. Back on the palate, you find young peaches notes underlined by a tad of acacia honey. A little lack of mouth length to be honest, even with 46%. Brand new oak notes and linseed oil too. It ends on walnut oil and dried apple.

Not my favorite G.C for sure. Something is missing or something vanished during the aging process. Too bad, because this Ragnaud Sabourin Florilege has undeniable great potential of finesse and complexity.  

My very subjective note: 84/100

Ragnaud Sabourin’s website

Grande Champagne Session #1