Lanson Le Vintage Brut Millésime 2012
One of the first and now among the biggest maisons, known for their sharp, racy style
Grape Makeup:
52% Pinot Noir, 48% Chardonnay
Sweetness Level:
Brut
Ageing on Lees:
10+ years
Price:
$$ (V)
Cellar:
5-10 years
Category:
Celebration
Photos
What
Founded in 1760, it is one of Champagne’s oldest houses and top ten largest in production, known for its tart style that does not go through malolactic fermentation.
Where
Reims; despite losing over 200 hectares of estate vineyards in the early 1990s, the house has built back to an estate of 57 hectares (of which 16 hectares are at the biodynamic estate of Malmaison) with access to growers in over 100 different crus.
Why
This vintage, released after more than a decade on lees, is exceptional value and also amazingly youthful, showing off the anti-ageing magic of malic acidity.
What Else
The logo dates back to 1798, when the founder’s son – a member of the renowned Knights of Malta – decided to model the house’s logo on the Maltese cross. The Lanson vintage collection is one of the region’s largest store of 100 year-old vintages kept resting on their lees; they are released periodically in tiny quantities, disgorged to order.
Tasting Notes
Very toasty and even smoky, the nose has a marked yeastiness over a bitter lemon, tonic base – very refined but also edgy and more savoury than sweet. There is a delightful level of ozone smokiness on the palate that is well supported by the acidity, though quinine bitterness takes over the back palate once the acidity loses its potency somewhat. Grippy, clicking phenolics (tannins) keep things reasonably tight throughout and the bitterness is very satisfying on the finish.
Try It With
Smoky, fatty meat dishes, like smoked chicken
When To Drink
Main course.
Perfect For
The friend who always buys top quality on sale.
Tatler Tip
Lanson is known for not putting its wines through malolactic conversion, which transforms the sharp malic acid (like apples) into creamier lactic acid (like milk), so its cuvées tend to be sharper than others regardless of their age.
TL/DR
Toasty, refined and edgy.
Supplier
Enoteca Wine
