Sténopé 2012

CHAMPAGNE BRUT MILLESIME
GRAPE VARIETY
52% Pinot Nero and 48% Chardonnay
TASTING NOTES
Laurent Gillet and Michel Chapoutier have chosen the vocabulary of photography to produce together a cuvée whose aim is to be a faithful reflection of the vintage. The champagne, the fruit of an alliance established between the two companies in 2008, is now in its fifth edition. The idea is to create a Champagne which is rare and full of character, and which represents the clear and crisp image of the vintage. This vision, which is to capture the best portrait of a season, is the reason for its name. Sténopé is the result of a precise and unique blend of black and white grapes: Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, two emblematic varieties of Champagne. Cave chef Michel Parisot carefully selects grapes from his favorite vineyard plots. The same attention to detail is applied during the pressing of the grapes and the vinification, most of which takes place in the barrel, as well as during the delicate phase of fermentation, which is followed by a prolonged refinement in the bottle. The challenge is, harvest after harvest, to interpret a season, with all its unique characteristics that manifest themselves over time and, with a sip, to accompany each person on a journey of the senses, in the heart of that year. A winter, that of 2012, rather mild until February, followed by a period marked by intense cold. Some spring frosts did not ruin the still very backward peaks and the abundant rains until July favored large underground water reserves. Then a dry and sunny summer, quite rare in Champagne, which favorably influenced the quality of the grapes. An extremely complex year in general, which required a lot of work in the vineyard, but which gave extraordinary results. The alcoholic fermentation of the musts was mainly carried out in 300-liter Ardennes oak barrels. A partial malolactic fermentation was also carried out before bottling and second fermentation. After a minimum aging of 7 years on the lees, the bottles rest for at least another 6 months after disgorgement. Sténopé 2012 has an elegant and fine nose, with hints of white flowers, fruit and citrus notes, followed by chocolate and toasted almond notes. On the palate it is tonic, then creamy, with notes of lemon peel and bergamot, with slightly candied notes, brioche and warm bread. The finish is soft and fresh. Key aromas: fresh citrus, brioche, almond. Each bottle of Sténopé 2012 has a serial number indicated on the back of the bottle.
DOSAGE: 5g / l