2017 Lilbert-Fils Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Cramant

94 Points - Tom Hewson, Decanter

“From two parcels of Chardonnay planted in 1936 in Cramant comes Bertrand Lilbert's small production of vintage blanc de blancs. Without the prominent effect of the perpetual reserve used in the non-vintage, the character of the year comes across strongly with a smoky, toasted brown bread and frangipane breadth quickly twisting into roasted lemon, fresh clementines and kiwi – it's juicy, joyous and punchy, needs some time to settle and smoothen out. Full of natural tension and verve, this is a blanc de blancs of considerable character in a year which occasionally excelled in the Côte des Blancs.”

92 Points - William Kelley, Wine Advocate

“Released after the 2018 vintage, Lilbert’s 2017 Blanc de Blancs Cramant Grand Cru was disgorged in June 2024 with three grams per liter dosage. Issuing from two old-vine parcels—one planted in 1936 (dominating the blend with about 75%) and the other in 1955—this is a considerable effort from a vintage that Bertrand describes as a year where two-thirds of wines in Champagne, mainly from red grapes, delivered mediocre results, often with a taint of champignon de Paris, but Chardonnays from grands crus performed very well. Soaring from the glass with aromas of toasted nuts, dried white flowers, spices and peach, it is medium to full-bodied and layered, underpinned by racy acids and concluding with saline finish.”