Blind Tasting Across Vintages

Tasting through the vintages is a celebration for the senses—a journey that intertwines the past and present of each cuvée, revealing the nuances and evolution of flavors over time.

2008: The Freshness of Exception 
The 2008 vintage marked a turning point in Champagne. Following a cool and late season, the harvest between September 15 and 25 surprised winemakers with its perfect balance of acidity and aromatic ripeness. The wines from 2008 are taut, deep, and mineral. Freshness dominates, yet it gives way to a complexity that reveals itself gradually. Their razor-sharp structure makes them among the longest-lived wines of the century. A vertical, pure vintage—built to last.

In the glass, a brilliant golden hue. On the nose, complexity is immediate. The Chardonnay delivers freshness and mineral drive, offering notes of citrus, orange zest, white flowers, and chalk. Pinot Noir adds depth and body with ripe fruit, red berries, and toasty nuances. Hints of balsamic and dried fruit (hazelnut, almond) complete a multifaceted aromatic profile in constant evolution. The palate is taut and vertical, led by vibrant acidity that reflects the vintage's character. Chardonnay provides energy and salinity, while Pinot Noir brings structure and roundness, resulting in a dynamic balance of freshness and intensity. Silky bubbles. The finish is dry and elegant, with lingering citrus and toasted notes. A vintage sculpted in precision and purity—an elegant and profound synthesis worthy of great aging.

2018: Quality and Quantity
2018 was generous in every way: a warm climate, stable summer, and early harvest with healthy, ripe, and abundant grapes—one of the richest vintages in recent memory. The wines are sun-kissed, ample, with ripe fruit, softness, and moderate acidity. Accessible and rounded, with exotic touches.

Tasting
Golden in color. The nose offers pleasing aromas of ripe fruit, sweet notes, and light toasting—creating a warm and harmonious impression. On the palate, the attack is soft, with a round and open mid-palate. The wine unfolds easily, revealing fruity and honeyed notes, though it fades quickly, leaving a clean and delicate finish. Fine perlage. A gentle, accessible expression of the vintage—more suited to immediate pleasure than depth or persistence. Best enjoyed in its youth, for those seeking a simple and pleasant sip.

2010: The Selective Vintage 
2010 was a complex and contrasting year. After a promising warm summer, heavy rains at the end of August and early September compromised part of the crop, especially Pinot Noir affected by botrytis. However, where strict selection was possible, elegant and well-defined Champagnes emerged. More subtle than powerful, with citrus, floral notes and lively acidity. Rare, but remarkable.

Tasting
Golden color. The nose is fresh, dominated by herbal aromas, balsamic hints, and a clear mineral imprint. On the palate, the attack is assertive—marked acidity and pronounced salinity leave a lasting impression, especially on the finish, with a long and precise echo. This cuvée shows energy and tension, yet hints at a desire for softer, fruitier nuance to round it out. Subtle perlage. A linear Champagne for those who appreciate a strict, vertical style. A stern expression of the vintage—revealing its raw and authentic character.

2012: The Strength of Balance
A challenging year in the vineyard, but extraordinary in the glass. After a rainy spring, summer settled in, bringing sunshine and concentration to the grapes. The harvest, modest in volume, yielded fruit of rare quality. The Champagnes of 2012 combine power and freshness with notes of ripe fruit, candied citrus, spices, and minerality. Structured yet lifted, intense yet refined, they display a natural balance. One of the most complete and promising vintages of recent decades.

Tasting
Golden color. The nose is clean and precise, balanced between smoky notes, delicate pastry, and a balsamic streak adding depth. On the palate, the wine is fresh and saline, with integrated acidity and ample flavor. The finish is long, mineral, and fresh, inviting another sip. Silky mousse. A cuvée that combines tension and softness, precision and breadth—perfectly illustrating the vintage's natural equilibrium. Elegant, incisive, and still evolving.

2002: The Great Vintage 
The 2002 vintage is considered one of the most balanced and age-worthy in Champagne. An ideal climate, warm yet stable summer, and a harvest yielding healthy, rich grapes. The wines are known for their generous structure, precise freshness, and mature bouquet. More than twenty years later, they still shine with vitality and finesse. A sunny, full, and memorable vintage.

Tasting
In the glass, an intense, luminous gold. The nose is fragrant and enveloping, with pastry notes, ripe fruit, and hints of toffee for sweetness and roundness. Subtle oak aromas add depth without weight. On the palate, the wine is full, smooth, and enveloping, with rich body and elegant freshness. The structure is imposing yet harmonious, with sweetness deriving from fruit and vintage power. Fine and persistent bubbles. Long, flavorful finish with creamy texture and lingering notes of dried fruit, candied citrus, and sweet spices. A cuvée that captivates—an example of 2002’s union of strength and grace.

2014: The Discreet Balance 
A year of contrasts: mild, wet winter; warm spring; cool, humid summer; and a dry, sunny September. These conditions favored Chardonnay, while Pinot Noir and Meunier required extra care. The result: fresh, balanced Champagnes—less opulent, more linear and elegant.

Brilliant gold. The nose is elegant and precise, signature “house style”—smoky notes, citrus, and light hazelnut echoing refined pastry. On the palate, dry and vertical with a discreet noble bitterness adding character. A mineral, fresh profile with good tension. The finish is clean and determined. Silky perlage. A well-crafted cuvée that reflects the style and vintage with finesse and precision.

2016: The Vineyard’s Resilience 
A challenging year: rainy spring, downy mildew pressure, and summer hailstorms reduced yields. But September’s dry, sunny weather brought unexpected recovery. The wines reveal harmony and expressiveness—an impressive comeback.

Tasting
Golden hue. Precise and direct nose: citrus, white flowers, herbaceous notes, and chalky nuances. The palate is bright and vibrant, driven by sharp yet balanced acidity. Stainless steel gives clarity, while low dosage lets the fresh, vertical nature shine. Pinot Noir adds softness and subtle red fruit echo; Chardonnay enhances salinity and energy. Delicate mousse. Clean, dry finish with citrus-mineral lift. A cuvée balanced between tension, purity, and persistence.

2013: The Freshness of Patience 
A vintage from another era: long, cold winter; wet, cool spring; warm, sunny summer—with some hail. A late harvest (September 24 to October 10), but it paid off: healthy grapes with great acidity, especially for Chardonnay. The wines are taut, vibrant, with citrus, floral profiles and strong minerality. Precise and built to evolve.

Tasting
Brilliant golden color. Fine, chiseled nose: ripe citrus, green apple, white flowers, hints of hazelnut, brioche, layered spices, aromatic herbs, and well-defined chalky minerality. The palate is structured and vibrant. Pinot Noir dominates the mid-palate with richness; Chardonnay leads the attack and finish with lift, acidity, and saline finesse. Elegant mousse. Long, clean finish with lingering citrus-mineral tension. A cuvée that balances energy and restraint—a classic expression from a great house in a disciplined, promising vintage.

Tags: Champagne, Millésime, Marguet, Alberto Massucco, Penet-Chardonnet, Piper-Heidsieck, Hubert Paulet, Henriot, Jean-Philippe Trousset, Pol Roger