Grand Cru Millésime 2012 Blanc de Blancs
BLEND:
The sheer magnitude of this 100% Chardonnay Champagne undoubtedly derives from its impressive pedigree rooted in the grands crus vineyards of the Côte des Blancs. This illustrious vine-growing area is reputed for its distinctive, quality chalk soils and excellent exposure. To glorious effect, this cuvée magnifies the quintessence of a wellborn Chardonnay.
THE 2012 VINTAGE:
The Grand Cru Millésime 2012 Blanc de Blancs expresses the typical character of the year and is true to the style sought by Chief Winemaker Guillaume Roffiaen: fresh, sound and elegant.
Aged at least 6 years in our cellars
The Grand Cru Millésime 2012 Blanc de Blancs is a silky, golden Champagne, with a delicate bead and offering subtle, yet accomplished aromas.
Lively and mineral on the attack, the Champagne opens with fresh citrus fruit aromas. There is a change of tempo on the midpalate, offering delicate notes of white flowers and lemon balm.
Further definition brings subtly spiced flavours of clove, while the Champagne culminates in a long, light finish, accentuated by chalky minerality.
This vintage shows every sign of great ageing potential and will gain in delectable complexity over time.
To be shared among honoured friends and wine enthusiasts, this is a Champagne to mark special occasions and good times, from pre-dinner drinks and beyond.
Drinking occasions :
As an aperitif: best served at 7 - 8°C.
With food: best served at 10 - 12°C.
Food and wine pairings:
Simple pleasures
Goat's cheese, courgette and pine nut financiers
Veal Milanese
Rhubarb tart
Cranberry cookies
Relaxing interlude
Goat's cheese and pear filo pastries
Mussels "en papillote" with braised fennel
Prawn and lemongrass spaghetti
Orange carpaccio with sweet spices
Fine dining
Bigorre black ham and breadsticks
Speciality "boudeuse" oysters by David Hervé
Sea bream sashimi and green shiso leaves
Grilled John Dory, Camargue rice and almonds
Mixed herb and floral salad (nasturtiums, pansies, primulas, borrage, thyme flowers and lamb's lettuce)
Peach skewers with lavender caramel.
2012 in Champagne
This vintage celebrates one of the Champagne region’s finest successes. It is a miracle that this excellent vintage even came to light, given the challenging weather conditions hardly conducive to creating a fine wine. As Winter temperatures plummeted, the hillsides saw record lows the likes of which rarely experienced, before unleashing abundant, even violent hailstorms in Spring. By early July, the vines still showed a week’s delay compared to the 10-year average. But to coin an old French saying “Août fait le moût“. August makes the harvest – never was this more true than in 2012. The hot, sunny weather that set in until the harvest began early September encouraged ideal ripening in the grapes. The draining, smoothing effect of the soils played a key roleas any excess water was absorbed by the chalk during the summer months and proved a useful supply to the vine when needed. Reduced quantities of grapes on the vine also contributed to their impressive ripeness and concentration.
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.
