Palmer & Co Blanc de Blancs 2018

Blanc de Blancs 2018 offers a particularly appealing view of Palmer & Co's skill with Chardonnay. This is a single-vintage Champagne made entirely from that grape, but its origins are broader than the Côte des Blancs alone. The blend is led by Chardonnay from the Montagne de Reims, with an additional contribution from the Côte de Sézanne. That combination makes it an interesting purchase for anyone keen to explore Chardonnay through a different part of Champagne's landscape. The bottle has also been given time. Palmer describes five years of ageing on the lees, with a dosage of around 6–7 grams per litre. Those details help explain its place in the collection: a vintage wine with substantial cellar development, yet one that retains a familiar Brut-level framework rather than taking the no-dosage route of La Réserve Nature. The 2018 date is fundamental to what you are buying and should not be confused with the multi-year construction of Palmer's regular house cuvées. Founded in 1947 by seven winegrowers from the Montagne de Reims, Palmer & Co remains defined by its cooperative roots and a strong base of Premier and Grand Cru vineyards. The house is particularly associated with blending across origins and years, and with an extensive reserve-wine programme. Blanc de Blancs 2018 demonstrates a different side of that expertise: selecting Chardonnay from one harvest and allowing it an extended period of maturation. Serve this Champagne in a generous glass with a properly cooked chicken dish, a cheese soufflé or a gently seasoned vegetable tart. Those are welcoming choices for Chardonnay with time on lees, leaving enough space for the wine to show its own personality. Avoid serving it too cold if you want to appreciate more than the initial freshness. La Réserve is still the most straightforward introduction to Palmer's overall house style, and Grands Terroirs 2018 provides a broader Montagne de Reims vintage comparison. Choose Blanc de Blancs 2018 when Chardonnay, the particular harvest and patient ageing are the qualities that matter.