Family estate in Avize with Chardonnay vineyards and a Grand Cru range spanning Blanc de Blancs, Grande Réserve and Rosé.
The producer
Armand Boatas's family estate is in Avize, in the Côte des Blancs. Its vineyards are planted entirely with Chardonnay. The range includes Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru, Charles Legendre and Brut Rosé Grand Cru. Some cuvées undergo malolactic fermentation, while others are made without it. Brut Grande Réserve Grand Cru brings Chardonnay and Pinot Noir together after extended lees ageing.
Known for
Avize Grand Cru Chardonnay
Notable facts
The estate's Avize parcels include Chemin de Paradis and Nobiats du Nord.
Some cuvées undergo malolactic fermentation while others are made without it.
The Brut Grande Réserve Grand Cru combines Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
The story
From Engineer To Winemaker
In 2005, Armand Boatas returned to manage the family vineyard while working in the automotive industry. His earlier training was as an engineer, and for nine years he kept the vines as a part time responsibility alongside that career. In 2014, he left automotive work and took charge of winemaking. The arrangement began with vineyard management, continued through divided work, and ended with Armand working full time on the family's wines at the Avize estate in Champagne.
From the atlas
Champagne A. Boatas
A family estate in Avize, Côte des Blancs, with all Chardonnay vineyards and selective malolactic fermentation.
At A Glance
Field
Detail
Region
Champagne, Côte des Blancs
Village
Avize
Classification
Grand Cru
Main grape
Chardonnay
Estate size
3.6 hectares
Signature wine
A Boatas Charles Legendre Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Extra Brut
The Producer
Armand Boatas first trained as an engineer before returning to manage his family vineyard. He later left the automotive industry to work in winemaking full time. He represents the fourth generation of Avize vignerons, growers who farm and make wine.
The vines average approximately fifty years of age. Malolactic fermentation converts malic acid into lactic acid and can soften acidity; A. Boatas uses the process selectively, with some cuvées made without it and others allowed to undergo it.
Place
Avize is a Grand Cru village in the Côte des Blancs. The estate's named vineyard parcels include Chemin de Paradis, Fond du Moulin, Terre de Maladries and Nobiats du Nord. Grand Cru classifies the village; a named parcel identifies a smaller vineyard unit within it.
In Champagne, Blanc de Blancs identifies a white wine made from white grapes. The estate's Blanc de Blancs cuvées use Chardonnay.
Wines
Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru is the entry cuvée and is aged 36+ months on lees in bottle. Lees are the spent yeast cells left after the second fermentation; longer contact can build texture and savoury notes. The cuvée has a fresh, delicate expression of white flowers, apple and pear, followed by a citrus finish.
Charles Legendre 2013 is an Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs made without malolactic fermentation, with stewed fruit and smoked aromas. Paradis 2016 is also an Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs made without malolactic fermentation, with chalky minerality. Extra Brut is the lower dosage category, with less added sugar after disgorgement than Brut.
Brut Grande Réserve Grand Cru is a blend of 60% Chardonnay and 40% Pinot Noir, aged 9+ years on lees, with toasted notes. Brut Rosé Grand Cru is 90% Chardonnay Grand Cru and 10% Pinot Noir, with pink grapefruit and wild strawberry.
Final Word
Champagne A. Boatas varies malolactic fermentation and lees ageing between cuvées. The range includes Blanc de Blancs, Grande Réserve and Rosé styles.