Laurent-Perrier : Vintage 2012

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.

A harmonious Champagne, with a fine and persistent mousse on the palate, this layers a rich note of marzipan with flavors of white cherry, preserved lemon, biscuit and a refreshing streak of salinity that lingers on the mouthwatering finish. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Drink now through 2032.

2012 is the 30th opus of this cuvée. Since 1938, and the acquisition of Laurent-Perrier by the Nonancourt family, it has been crafted to be a subtle balance between ‘the house style and the vintage style,’ according to Michel Fauconnet, Laurent-Perrier’s chef de caves. The Pinot Noir, which comprises half the blend and which Fauconnet describes as very ‘powerful’, is sourced from five villages: Bouzy, Verzy, Aÿ, Mailly, and for the first time in the history of this cuvée, Rilly-la-Montagne, which is not a grand cru village. The Chardonnay, which makes up the other half of the blend, is sourced from the villages of Le-Mesnil-sur-Oger, Oger, Cramant and Chouilly. ‘The year 2012 was characterised by successive climatic accidents. There was a major winter frost as well as a spring frost, not to mention 10 or so episodes of hail, causing significant damage. A hailstorm on the seventh of June caused extensive damage in various villages,’ said Laurent-Perrier. In spite of this, the dry and sunny summer brought about a beautiful maturity. With an energetic yet bright bouquet, the Laurent-Perrier 2012 possesses gorgeous aromas of orchard fruits, herbs, lemon and spices, with a hint of menthol. Calcareous on the palate, the structure is medium- to full-bodied, with a laser-like texture and a long and penetrating finish. It is undeniably one of the frank successes of the vintage, and while it has no need for further ageing, it may surprise us even further in the future.

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 8 g/L. Drink or hold.

Pale golden yellow, silver reflections, very fine, persistent mousse. Delicate notes of brioche and yellow plum, a hint of orange zest and blossom honey, delicate meadow herbs, can stand a larger glass. Full-bodied, fine white stone fruit, a finesse-rich acid structure, delicate hints of pineapple and mango, underpinned by fine minerality, an elegant food companion with development and some ageing potential.

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.

Light gold with very fine, persistent bubbles, the Brut Millésimé 2012 is 50% Chardonnay and 50% Pinot Noir aged ten years on lees and finished with eight grams per liter. Redolent of white peach, Chantecler apple, toasted brioche, vanilla bean, and honey brickle, the medium- to full-bodied palate is richly textured around a plush red-fruit core and balanced by stimulating, bright acid freshness through a long finish with a kiss of lemon-peel bitterness.

A classic house nose: the bouquet shows good ripeness, the wine feels less restrained and the style appears more liberated with an extra year. The palate is fairly rich with good volume; it’s a vinous wine that matches the vintage.

A lovely, elegant freshness and energy on the nose, opening delicately with white flowers, stewed fruit and spicy notes. The palate is taut and citrus-driven, bringing out mineral, chalky notes that carry the wine vertically across the mouth. A accomplished Champagne.