Grand Cru Millésime 2011 Blanc de Blancs
100% Grand Cru Chardonnay
BLEND:
This Blanc de Blancs champagne is crafted exclusively from Chardonnay selected from the sculpted mosaic of Grands Crus classified vineyards in Côte des Blancs. Its intensely elegant, slender profile derives from the typical character and quality of the nurturing soils, where the far-reaching vines gain body and minerality from the chalk – signature terroir of the very finest champagnes.
Vinified in small, temperature-controlled, stainless-steel tanks.
Aged at least 9 years in the cellars.
TASTING NOTES:
Appearance: pale gold, with delicate light bubbles matured over time in the cellars.
Bouquet: this is a perfectly sculpted wine, reflected in its finesse and minerality, and floral and citrus fruit dimension.
Palate: there is an immediate, distinctly mineral dimension from the Grand Cru Chardonnays, together with remarkable citrus-tinged freshness set against the long, well-structures palate. Very well-balanced on the palate, which adds complexity and the promise of great ageing potential. The Chardonnay offers organic notes of hot pebbles, even graphite, and fruit-laden noted of pear and citron.
Delicately toasty on the finish, with a hint of iodine salinity to support the length.
DRINKING OCCASIONS:
As an aperitif: best served at 9-10°C.
With food: best served at 10-12°C.
PAIRINGS:
Oysters
Scallop carpaccio
Tuna tartare
Delicate fish such as grilled seabass or turbot
2011 in Champagne
It had been a long time since the Champagne region had experienced such a difficult start to winter. Locals recall severe snow and frost bringing the region to a complete standstill, and on Christmas Eve, the rare sight of shimmering vines draped in a heavy blanket of ice. By the end of March, spring-like weather had surprisingly set in for the long haul. Summer weather from April until late May promoted rapid growth in the vines. The combination of extremely early flowering, a significant shortage of rain in Spring and abundant sunshine, meant a totally unprecedented start to the year for Champagne.
Yet June saw a dramatic turn of events. Rain returned in the last few days of May, and June experienced alternating patterns of rain, cool weather and heat spikes, and violent storms, sometimes bringing hail. While this nullified some of the 3-week headstart noted in July, this was still an early year marked by contrast. Harvesting began early, and overall, the grapes were in good condition. The chardonnay bunches were exceptional. Chief Winemaker Guillaume Roffiaen is keen to showcase the 2011 vintage AFTER the release of the Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs 2012. Indeed, the 2012 vintage was much more mature than the 2011, which took considerably longer to open up, mirroring the harsh nature of the weather in Champagne that year. This is no ordinary vintage. The Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs 2011 is a rare champagne, with a distinctive personality.
Blanc de Blancs Champagne
3 main grape varieties are used in the composition of champagne: Chardonnay, a grape with white skin and white juice, Pinot Noir and Meunier, two grapes with black skin and white juice.
A Blanc de Blancs champagne is made exclusively from Chardonnay grapes: it is the most sought-after grape variety in champagne because it brings finesse, elegance, freshness and liveliness to the wine.
On tasting, Chardonnay brings citrus fruit aromas. But, after a few years of evolution, it develops notes of candied fruit, toasted bread, brioche and pastries.
