Champagne Barons de Rothschild Blanc de Blancs 2012 Extra Brut

It all started post WW2 when Philippe de Rothschild got solicited by the Ruinart Family to help them financially save their Champagne House, resulting in a 40% share deal to be signed in favor of The Baron. The first Baron Philippe de Rothschild labels were produced and kept within the Rothschild Family. Then in 1963 Ruinart got sold to Moët & Chandon. Philippe de Rothschild moved the investment to Chateau Clerc Millon in Pauillac. In 2003, the three branches of the family (Mouton, Lafite, and Rothschild Bank) launched Champagne Barons de Rothschild, with an exclusive selection of Premiers Crus and Grands Crus vineyards.Today, based in Vertus, the Rothschild House owns 8 hectares in prime locations across the Côte des Blancs.

This limited release Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs is composed of 100% chardonnay from the Grand Cru vineyards of Avize, Cramant, Oger, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger. Vinified separately plot by plot in 20-hl temperature-controlled stainless-steel vats and a small proportion of wooden barrels. Long ageing on the fine lees in small vats with regular bâtonnage (stirring of the lees). Cellar-ageing on the lees: 8 years minimum - Dosage: extra brut, 4 g/l - Rest after disgorgement: 12 months minimum

Toasty and nutty on the nose with candied lemon peel, peach and dried apricots. Full, quite intense and fruit forward. I like the hints of bitterness with lemon zest, coffee beans, toasted vanilla pod alongside crisp green apple. Crunchy and direct at the same time with lifted acidity. Quite upfront and powerful - well worked but still youthful with tension despite being a decade old. A charming Champagne.
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