Alfred Gratien : Cuvée Les 12 Anges Brut

Characteristics and Tasting Tips for Cuvée Les 12 Anges Brut by Alfred Gratien

Tasting

Nose

The nose is built around dried fruits, spices and honey.

Palate

On the palate, this Champagne is complex and generous. Its creamy texture is balanced by a vibrant freshness, leading to a long, mouthwatering finish.

Food and wine pairing

This Champagne is better suited to the dining table than to an aperitif. It pairs well with fine poultry in a light sauce, or with fish such as turbot and line-caught sea bass served with a light brown butter emulsion. It can also accompany hard cooked-curd cheeses, such as a matured Comté or a Beaufort.

A non-vintage Alfred Gratien Champagne, vinified in oak with a creamy texture

The estate

Founded in 1864 in Épernay by Alfred Gratien, the Champagne house Alfred Gratien has belonged since the early 2000s to the German group Henkell Freixenet, while retaining considerable stylistic autonomy. Nicolas Jaeger, the cellar master, represents the fourth generation of his family in this role. A négociant house, it also owns a few vineyards and relies on a network of partner growers. Its signature: oak vinification and the blocking of malolactic fermentation.

The vineyard

This cuvée is crafted from a selection of grapes mainly sourced from Grand Cru and Premier Cru vineyards in Champagne. The House works with partner growers based around Épernay and encourages them towards more sustainable viticulture.

The blend

A non-vintage cuvée, Les 12 Anges allows the cellar master to create a blend of several years. This enables him to achieve the desired flavour profile and a style that remains consistent over time.

Vinification and ageing

Like all of the House's cuvées, Cuvée Les 12 Anges Brut is vinified in oak, in 228-litre oak barrels, and does not undergo malolactic fermentation. Only the first-press juice, known as the "noble juice", is retained. The wines spend time in barrel before blending, after which the cuvée ages for an extended period in the cellar. This maturation contributes to its aromatic complexity, the finesse of its mousse and its creamy texture.

Grape varieties

Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.