Waris-Larmandier’s Les Bauves 2014 is a Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs that shows Avize at its best. Made from 100% Chardonnay, picked by hand and pressed in the traditional way, it spends more than seven years resting on its lees. The result is a Champagne of clarity and depth: citrus and white peach at the fore, layered with brioche, almond, and a subtle saline edge from the chalky soils. This is Champagne that feels both precise and generous. The bubbles are fine, the texture creamy, and the finish long and mineral. It’s elegant without being showy, complex without being fussy, the kind of bottle that feels right for both a celebration and a quiet night when only great Champagne will do.