What kind of wine is Champagne Brut AOC 'Le Vintage' 2012 - Lanson
The Champagne Brut AOC 'Le Vintage' 2012 - Lanson is an exceptional vintage from one of Champagne's most historic houses, founded in 1760. Made only in exceptional years, this wine embodies the Lanson philosophy: freshness, elegance, and aromatic precision. The AOC Champagne appellation guarantees adherence to the Champenoise method, a bottle refermentation process that gives Champagne its fine and persistent effervescence, resulting from a second fermentation and long aging on its lees.
Vintage Details
The 2012 vintage is considered one of the best of the decade in the Champagne region. After a challenging spring, marked by frosts and rain, the summer offered ideal conditions: warm days and cool nights that favored balanced grape ripening. The result is a harvest of excellent quality, with small, concentrated berries capable of expressing an extraordinary combination of aromatic intensity and freshness.
Winemaking and Aging
The Champagne Brut AOC 'Le Vintage' 2012 - Lanson is made from a blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, selected from the best crus in Champagne. Fermentation takes place in steel tanks to preserve the fruit's purity, followed by a long aging on lees of about 10 years, which enriches the wine with toasted notes and great complexity. The moderate final dosage maintains the perfect balance between freshness and depth, typical of the Lanson style, which also distinguishes itself by choosing not to carry out malolactic fermentation, in order to maintain the liveliness and tension of the sip.
Tasting Notes
Color
In the flute, the wine presents a brilliant golden yellow, with amber reflections and a very fine and continuous perlage, a sign of long aging and perfect secondary fermentation.
Nose
The bouquet opens with aromas of candied citrus, acacia honey, and light hints of dried fruit. With aeration, more complex notes of bread crust and toasted hazelnut emerge, testifying to the long aging on lees and the harmonious evolution of this cuvée.
Palate
On the palate, it is structured yet elegant, with a lively freshness that accompanies a full and balanced body. The fine and persistent bubbles enhance the fruity and slightly spicy notes, leaving a long and mineral finish with extensive persistence.
Food Pairings for Champagne Brut AOC 'Le Vintage' 2012 - Lanson
This vintage Champagne lends itself to numerous classy pairings. It is perfect for an elegant dinner, but also for a special toast when you want to impress. It pairs excellently with:
- Shellfish and seafood, especially lobster or grilled prawns;
- Raw fish or high-quality sushi;
- Dishes based on delicate white meats, such as truffle risotto or herb-roasted chicken;
- Aged cheeses but not too intense, such as Comté or Parmigiano Reggiano.
Its structure and freshness also make it an excellent companion for contemporary or fusion cuisine dishes, where aromatic complexity can find original harmonies.
Storage and Aging
Knowing how to store Champagne Brut AOC 'Le Vintage' 2012 - Lanson is essential to preserve its qualities. It should be stored in a cool, dark place with a constant temperature, ideally between 10 and 12°C. The bottle should be kept horizontally to keep the cork moist and prevent air infiltration. Avoid direct light and vibrations, which can alter the finesse of the bubbles. Although ready to drink, this Champagne can evolve positively for several years, developing further nuances of honey and dried fruit that enrich its complexity.
Lanson
The history of the Lanson winery The Lanson winery boasts a history rich in tradition, a profound heritage, and an innovative vision of the wine world. Founded in 1760 in Reims, the heart of the Champagne region, Lanson stands out for its commitment to maintaining traditional winemaking technique...
How to best open and serve Champagne Brut AOC 'Le Vintage' 2012 - Lanson
1. Bottle positioning
Before opening Champagne Brut AOC 'Le Vintage' 2012 - Lanson, ensure the bottle has been stored horizontally, away from direct light and temperature fluctuations. Approximately one day before serving, position it vertically to allow any sediment to settle at the bottom.
2. Ideal serving temperature
The optimal serving temperature for this vintage Champagne is 9-10°C. Avoid over-chilling it, as an excessive drop in temperature would penalize its aromatic complexity. To achieve the ideal temperature:
- Place the bottle in an ice bucket with ice and water for about 20 minutes;
- Or leave it in the refrigerator for 3-4 hours before opening.
3. Opening the bottle
To properly open Champagne Brut AOC 'Le Vintage' 2012 - Lanson:
- Gently remove the foil and loosen the wire cage, always keeping your thumb on the cork;
- Hold the bottle at a 45° angle and rotate it slowly, not the cork, to encourage a quiet and controlled release;
- The goal is to avoid pressure dispersion and preserve the fineness of the bubbles.
4. Inspection and initial tasting
Pour a small amount into the glass to check the quality. Observe the golden color with bright reflections and the fineness of the perlage; gently sniff to perceive evolved notes of honey, dried fruit, and candied citrus. If you notice unpleasant odors (corked or oxidized) on the nose or palate, the sample may be faulty.
5. Decanting and oxygenation
Unlike many young Champagnes, a vintage like Le Vintage 2012 can benefit from slight oxygenation. It is advisable to:
- Pour the wine into a clean, dry, wide-necked carafe;
- Let it rest for about 15-20 minutes;
- If you prefer to maintain more intense effervescence, you can instead open the bottle 10 minutes before serving, without decanting it.
This process allows the complex aromas to open up and best showcase the elegance of the vintage.
6. Serving
Serve Champagne Brut AOC 'Le Vintage' 2012 - Lanson in white wine glasses rather than narrow flutes, to encourage aromatic expression. Fill them two-thirds full, leaving space for the aromas to expand. It pairs ideally with gourmet dishes based on crustaceans, foie gras, or medium-aged cheeses.
7. Storage after opening
If you don't finish the bottle, seal it with a Champagne stopper and store it in the refrigerator. It can maintain freshness and liveliness for up to 24-36 hours. Avoid storing it longer to prevent loss of effervescence and aromatic complexity.
By following these instructions, you will be able to fully appreciate the richness and refinement of Champagne Brut AOC 'Le Vintage' 2012 - Lanson, one of the House's most representative vintages.