2012 De Saint Gall Orpale Vintage Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru
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Orpale is the prestige cuvée from Champagne de Saint-Gall. The Blanc de Blancs is sourced from Grand Cru vineyards in the villages of Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Cramant, Avize and Oger, spending over 10 years on its lees. The 2012 vintage is the latest release, and a gorgeous wine that is just entering its long drinking window. There’s a honeyed, almost yogurt-like, creamy note to the nose. On the palate, the mousse is creamy, with such richness and depth with tightly wound, concentrated peach, nectarine and bright citrus and a chalky, mineral line. The dosage is 5g/l, and beautifully balanced. Enjoy over the next decade.
Critic scores
Richard Juhlin
Wine Enthusiast
More reviews and scores
Full flagon-shaped bottle 1,645 g. 26% of the wine did not go through malo. Dosage 5 g/l. Rich aroma of hazelnuts and toast. Much the best of the Saint-Gall champagnes tasted, lots of autolytic toasty/nutty character but still has fresh citrus fruit and more refined mousse. Toasty, high-acid and just in balance. (JH)
Le-Mesnil-sur-Oger, Avize, Cramant and Oger with 26% avoided malolactic fermentation dosed with 5 grams of sugar. It's amazing how reliable and polished looking Orpale always is. 2012 is no exception to that rule. Voluptuous caressing, light roasting. Great house style with many similarities to a Comtes de Champagne and some other greats. Buttery, fatty and at the same time delicate with roasted coffee notes, almond freshly baked bread and handsome citrus. Hard to spit already, but will probably reach its peak around 2028.
An enticing wine with beautifully balanced complex notes of zesty citrus fruits, crisp green apples, plump apricots, sweet honeycomb, savoury truffles and a memorable pinch of cedar spice. A superbly elegant mouthfeel with an exceptionally long creamy finish.