Penfolds : Thiénot x Penfolds Chardonnay Pinot Noir Cuvée 2012

An extra brut champagne by Penfolds and Thiénot

The producer

Penfolds is celebrating its 175th anniversary with the creation of the first cobranded champagne with the Thiénot champagne house. Penfolds' Cellar Master, Peter Gago, travelled from Australia to the Champagne region to work with Stanislas Thiénot on the blending of three champagnes. These combine Penfolds' philosophy of modern, fine Australian wines with Thiénot's philosophy of excellent, fresh and fruity wines.

The wine

Produced in a very limited edition, the Champagne Thiénot x Penfolds Chardonnay Pinot Noir Vintage 2012 pays tribute to Max Schubert, the founder of Penfolds, who was inspired by France when he founded Penfolds in Australia. This exceptional vintage embodies the past, the present and the future.

The vineyard

In the heart of the Champagne region, the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes that make up Champagne Thiénot x Penfolds Chardonnay Pinot Noir vintage 2012 come from the prestigious terroirs of the Côte des Blancs (25% Vertus, 15% Mesnil-sur-Oger and 10% Cramant) and the Montagne de Reims (15% Tauxières, 15% Verzenay, 10% Aÿ, 5% Cumières, 5% Avenay-Val-d'Or) .

The vintage

An exceptional year, 2012 is one of the finest vintages in Champagne. Following a freezing winter, spring was marked by warm temperatures before giving way to new very cold days in April. The beautiful month of August provided excellent ripening conditions. The pleasant weather then continued until the harvest, which took place serenely from September 12th. Although 2012 was a vintage marked by low yields, it will be remembered for the quality of the wines it produced, promising great ageing potential.

The blend

The Champagne Thiénot x Penfolds Chardonnay Pinot Noir Vintage 2012 is a blend of Chardonnay (50%) and Pinot Noir (50%).

Thiénot x Penfolds Chardonnay Pinot Noir Cuvée 2012: Characteristics and tasting tips

The tasting

Colour

The Champagne Thiénot x Penfolds Chardonnay Pinot Noir Vintage 2012 reveals a beautiful pale straw yellow colour with golden highlights.

Nose

The nose is complex and fine, with aromas of fresh tobacco leaves, honeysuckle and cut hay adding to the gourmet notes of crème brulée and baked apples.

Palate

The fruity attack develops into a mouthful of seductive acidity with flavours of hazelnut, apple and spice. With a low dosage of 4 g/l, this champagne offers an exquisite tension, freshness and complexity on the palate along with a long finish.

Service

This extra-brut champagne by Champagne Thiénot and Penfolds can be relished now, but will evolve well into 2040.