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Wine Description
The Story
Dosage: 8 grams/liter of sugar MCR (moût concentré rectifié or concentrated grape must)
Terroir: Only grapes grown exclusively on our estate are used in our wine. Our vineyard is cultivated according to the regulations drawn out by viticulture raisonnée practices. This refers to sustainable and reasonable agriculture practices which avoid chemical use in the vineyard. The house has been given the certification of Haute Valeur Environnementale (HVE) or High Environmental Value.
Elaboration:
-Manual Harvest
-Quality certified pressing (4,000 kg pneumatic press)
-Alcoholic fermentation takes place in temperaturecontrolled stainless steel vat, which helps preserve the individual character of each terroir
Tasting Notes: The 2012 Special Club is of a light golden color, characterized by tiny, lively bubbles. This effervescence expands luxuriously throughout the glass. Scents of white flowers, almonds, and brioche are the first to present themselves. Over time, honey, anise, and fresh fig take form. On the palate, the champagne is round and ample sharpened with a wonderful cut of acidity. It is delicately wooly on the tongue, softened with hints of almond and cream. This vintage of Special Club is perfect to kick start any meal, though it would also be heavenly with a fish in a butter/cream sauce.
Wine Information
The cuvée Special Club is from the 2012 vintage and it is composed of 50% Meunier sourced from Taissy, and 50% Chardonnay sourced from Ludes.
Vintage 2012
The next most exceptional vintage since 2008. A truly difficult growing season saw severe frosts in the winter. March brought warmth but early budbreak made the vines vulnerable to spring frosts. Overall, the early growing season was wet, and mildew became a serious issue. However, conditions improved dramatically in the later summer months. An August heatwave resulted in a rapid accumulation of sugar, but fortunately the nights remained cool, which helped to preserve acidity. Although yields were low (averaging at 9,210 kg/ha) due to frost, hail and disease early in the season, the 2012 harvest was exemplary in its maturity, acidity and grape health. A rare high acid, high sugar September harvest with impeccable concentration of flavour and refreshing vibrancy. Pinot Noir is the superstar of the vintage, though Pinot Meunier excelled too. A vintage that promises great longevity for the finest cuvées, it was widely declared by producers. However, Krug decided to invest in its reserve wines on this great year, and no Vintage was produced. The quality of 2012 is universally high, with the greatest releases so far including Louis Roederer Cristal and Cristal Rosé, Bollinger La Grande Année and La Grande Année Rosé, as well as Perrier-Jouët Belle Epoque Rosé.