2012 Le Brun de Neuville "Grand Vintage" Brut Champagne

I can't believe we were able to get our hands on more of this delectable 2012 from champagne collective Le Brun de Neuville! 2012 is one of the top champagne vintages of the 21st century and they are becoming more difficult to find. If you're searching for a superlative aged vintage Champagne, the 2012 "Grand Vintage" Brut Champagne may be for you. The moment you pop the cork on the 2012 Le Brun "Grand Vintage" Brut you can see and smell its age and pedigree. It has a golden amber color with a perlage so fine and racy the bubbles explode out of the glass. You must wait until the mousse settles before you can go in for a whiff, and when you do, sweet, nutty, tart fruit aromas tickle your nose. On the palate, this is a full-bodied, rich, mature sparkling wine of roasted chestnuts, honey, baked apple, dried fig, and toast. Yet, there is an enduring acidity that makes drinking the "Grand Vintage" a smooth and effortless experience. Suddenly it was gone (who, me?)! This is a great example of what a collective like Le Brun de Neuville can achieve in a benchmark year.

Le Brun de Neuville's Grand Vintage Brut Champagne is back in style with the spectacular 2012 release. Pouring a beautiful golden hue with a a noticeably luscious mousse, the nose is dominated by enticingly rich, leesy aromatics. Freshly toasted baguette and aged parmesan rind lead the charge while baked pear, quince, and clove play support with delicate white flowers tying a pretty bow on the impressive bouquet. The palate follows suit with luxurious richness lifted by a touch of citrus zest and juicy pear. This is a wine that, at just under $70, easily competes with several $150+ lees bombs from bigger houses.