2012 Barons de Rothschild ‘Rare Collection’ Blanc de Blancs Brut Champagne 750ML

Toasty and nutty on the nose with candied lemon peel, peach and dried apricots. Full, fully flavoured, 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. Grapes comes from 6ha of vineyards across four grands crus of the Côte des Blancs: Avize, Cramant, Oger and Le Mesnil-sur-Oger. Plots are individually vinified in small 20hl stainless steel vats and a small proportion in barrels. Lees ageing for nine months with regular stirring then eight years in the cellar with 12 months rest after disgorgement. Dosage 4g/L. – Decanter