Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Vénus 2017

The 2017 Extra-Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Vénus is more ethereal than the richer Avizoise, offering up aromas of white flowers, sweet stone fruits and fresh hazelnuts, followed by a medium to full-bodied, layered and pillowy palate with a mineral, fine-boned profile and a long, saline finish. It's proof that, despite the vintage's poor reputation, some seriously compelling wines were made in 2017, especially from Chardonnay. (WK, 12/2023)