The apple never falls far from the tree. Today, Ambroise Agrapart, son of Nathalie and Pascal, is at the helm with the active support of his father. Ambroise has achieved the highest level of education in his field and is a qualified oenologist. In the mould of his father, he is very much a grower yet has a technical prowess that is all his own. Even Pascal makes it clear that Ambroise has brought an even greater level of precision and organisation to the Estate’s practice and wines. It is safe to say the future of Champagne Agrapart is in good hands. Pascal Agrapart has laid down such rock-solid foundations that we don’t expect any radical changes, and when it comes to this Domaine’s work in the vineyards, Ambroise is certainly his father’s son. Having worked alongside his father—and grandfather—for many years, the younger Agrapart appreciates the benefits of making wine in the dry and sunny conditions that characterise Champagne’s recent vintages. He trusts the ability of his old vine terroirs to tap freshness and minerality even in a generous vintage. Ambroise also finds that the style of these ‘solar years’ melds beautifully with the minerality and mouth-watering structure gifted by his rocky vineyards and his family’s winemaking ethos. “Of course, climate change has slightly changed how we do things,” says Ambroise, who worked with Etienne de Montille in Burgundy before returning home, “even so, I think today, in Champagne, it is easier to make great wine than in the past.” Agrapart’s new disgorgements are emblematic of the radiance, chalky intensity, and crystalline precision we expect from one of the true reference points for Côte des Blancs Chardonnay. They are also staggeringly delicious. Ambroise and Pascal believe the current Terroirs bottling is one of the finest they have made. It’s a big call, but who better to make it? Punctuating the more powerful years, the cool 2021 vintage has provided a palette of lightness, bringing tension and a clap of chalky lightning to the current release.PS. Both wines are included in our current Champagne offer.