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It’s been a slightly less relaxing start to 2022 than any of us anticipated. As the year starts to race on by, it’s important to take the opportunity to celebrate whenever you can. So whether you’re celebrating a rescheduled event, have an upcoming important occasion to toast, or just want to make the everyday a little bit more special, perhaps some Champagne is in order. And a vintage Champagne, which is made exclusively from grapes grown in one year, is the ideal way to celebrate.
We asked consultant, author and international-sourcing expert Andrew Caillard, MW – one of Australia’s most respected wine authorities – for his thoughts on a bottle to try. Caillard holds the prestigious title of Master of Wine (there are only around 418 in the world) and is a sought-after voice in the wine world, both locally and abroad.
So when Caillard suggests a wine, it means you’re very, very likely to enjoy it. And if you’re looking for an out of the ordinary bottle of bubbles, Caillard says that Champagne Lanson Le Vintage 2009 comes highly recommended, thanks to its “enviable provenance and brilliant value.”
“Although Lanson is best known for its highly consistent Le Black Label “non-vintage” Champagne, its cuvée Le Vintage 2009 is a step-up, offering extra refinement and precision,” Caillard says.
“[It’s] a stylish vintage Champagne of outstanding fruit definition, freshness and complexity – considering its remarkable quality … Le Vintage 2009 is an exceptional buy in today’s market.”
But what was so good about 2009’s vintage in Champagne? Although the weather was changeable during spring, near-perfect growing conditions during August and a warm Indian summer led to a healthy crop. In a bottle of Le Vintage 2009, that “sterling vintage” translates to a bottle that “highlights the optimum ripeness of the fruit,” Caillard says.
It’s fortunate that 2009 had such a great harvest – it would have been a shame to waste grapes this good. Le Vintage 2009 is a 52% Pinot Noir and 48% Chardonnay blend that derives from an almost even split of grapes from the highly prized Grand Crus and Premier Crus vineyards – where the very best grapes in Champagne are grown.
The quality of the vineyards and the growing season are important, but ultimately it’s Lanson’s expert vinification techniques – the process of turning grapes into wine – that make Le Vintage 2009 such a star. Under the masterful skills of chef de cave Hervé Dantan and his team, Lanson employs the traditional méthode champenoise technique and extended cellar maturation (aged on yeast lees for 10 years) to achieve a bottle of Le Vintage 2009.
The result is a Champagne that tastes of “intense grapefruit, stonefruit, brioche and yeasty “fino” aromas with some grilled nut notes,” says Caillard. “This gives way to fresh, buoyant citrus fruits, green apple, marzipan flavours, underlying saline minerally notes and fine crisp acidity.”
“It’s very classical and delicious to drink.”
Drink responsibly, 18+.
Champagne Lanson Le Vintage 2009 is available online or in-store at Dan Murphy’s.
Brought to you by Champagne Lanson. Champagne Lanson, it’s all about love: the love of terroir, taste and celebration. It’s the perfect champagne for outdoors.
