2012 ... what a complicated year! It began with a long, cold winter, followed by a cool spring with little sunshine. Then came hail and heavy thunderstorms until the end of July. It was the sunshine and warmth of August that saved the harvest, too small in quantity to be sure, but of exceptional Rare quality. 2012 ranks among the best vintages of all time.
The Chardonnay of this 2012 vintage lent itself particularly well to the creation of a premium cuvée blanc de blancs: the Cuvée Celebris. For the first time, it was offered in a limited edition of 15,000 bottles.
The grapes come from terroirs Grand Cru and Premier Cru, Ambonnay, Avize, Cramant, Cumières, Passy-sur-Marne, Trépail, Vertus, Villers-Marmery and Le Mesnil-sur-Oger. The wines spend 9 years on lees in the house cellars and, after disgorgement, are dosed at 7g/L to pRéserver the balance between freshness and vinosity.
This Champagne offers a slightly golden color with emerald green highlights. The nose is initially dominated by the freshness of eucalyptus and menthol, followed by pastry notes, frangipane and pink grapefruit zest. The palate opens with a fresh lemony note, then quickly becomes more gourmand with notes of baked apple and tarte tatin, and spicier with star anise and ginger. The finish is tonic and mineral, with apple, citrus and chalk.
This Champagne Gosset Celebris Blanc de blancs 2012 loves seafood more than anything, and will pair perfectly with a Peruvian Ceviche of sea bream. For the landlubbers and those curious about discovery, the daring, dare to pair it with veal kidneys flambéed in white Port, it's magic.
