Doyard Champagne Premier Cru Extra Brut Clos de l'Abbaye
Tasted 4 January 2026
Champagne · Premier Cru
Much improved from last year's stricter and more linear performance, this bottle was undulating all sorts of honeydew melon, mint, lemon, travertine, and white/yellow pear flavors. Still a tad primary, the delivery…
Linear, sterile, barely giving way to any fruit expansion, and slightly vegetal. Air did very little to offer relief from the strait-laced profile. Clipped finish. Drinkable, but not enjoyable. This…
Continues to impress. Knocking out a Henri Giraud Fut de Chene in the first round, the Doyard maintained a heightened freshness and brightness that the Giraud lacked. Lemon and chalk highlight the…
Of the 2015, I previously wrote, "Such a young pup, and a bit severe at first." This is equally true of this 2016 version, with a linear and somewhat angular delivery on the initial pop of the cork.…
