Pierre Paillard Champagne Grand Cru La Grande Recolte Extra Brut 2012

55% Pinot Noir from the 50+ year old Les Maillerettes and 45% Chardonnay from Les Mottelettes, vines more than 60 years of age. The Grande Recolte was only produced in the finest vintages, and spends 10 years on the lees.  

A luxurious golden or deep, vivid yellow color, which can develop into a pale amber hue.  It has a fine, delicate, and persistent stream of bubbles. A sophisticated bouquet of dried flowers, ripe pear, and quince. Some tasters also find scents of red berries, apple, and orange zest.  Secondary aromas from aging on the lees include fresh brioche, freshly baked bread, pastry, pie crust, and almond.  The wine has a concentrated, ample, and medium to full-bodied mouthfeel. It is also described as creamy, round, and silky, with very fine and well-integrated bubbles.  The palate is expansive and complex, with flavors of ripe orchard and yellow fruits like peach, apricot, and pear. There are also notes of blood orange, candied lemon, and red currant. With aeration, spicier notes of ginger and pepper can appear.  12.5% ABV