2012 Laurent Perrier

Made from equal parts Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, the 2012 Champagne Brut Millésime is the 30th vintage of this cuvée, and the next vintage will be 2015. For at least the last five vintages, the wine was aged a minimum of 10 years. A bright straw/silver color, the 2012 is bright and expressive with fresh, concentrated notes of pure pear, crushed stones, white flowers, pastry dough, and lime blossoms. The palate has wonderful tension and concentration, with a chiseled and well-defined feel to its ripe notes of lime and a hint of Pinot Noir spice, and as it opens in the glass and its Pinot Noir side starts to shine through, it expresses a slightly warmer side to the wine. The mousse is refined and lively, with a pinpoint feel, and it’s long on the palate, with a clean finish. This is a very impressive vintage from Laurent-Perrier. Drink 2024-2044.

A blend of equal parts Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, the 2012 Brut Millésimé offers up aromas of lemon oil, confit citrus, spices, almonds, spring blossoms and warm biscuits. Medium to full-bodied, enrobing and charming, it's precise and layered, with good depth at the core, resulting from the 2012 vintage, enhanced by bright acids and concluding with a delicate, vanilla-inflected finish. Dosage: eight grams per liter.

“Elegant array of lemons, slate, biscuits, oyster shells, croissants and brioche. Precise and focused on the palate, with sharp acidity and tight, fine bubbles. Pure and youthful for now. 50% chardonnay and 50% pinot noir. Dosage 8g/L. Drink or hold.”