Drinking well now, but will improve with time. Drinking window now - 2040.

Colour
An inviting pale straw hue, not quite yet revealing or reflecting expectant tints of yellow/gold.

Nose
An immediate statement, perhaps proclamation – at once alluring, rich, opulent, majestic. Complex yet pure.
Where to start? Outdoors – subtle fresh tobacco leaf, freshly cut hay, unfurled honeysuckle.
Indoors – scents of crème brûlée, pomme au four, toffee-apple.
Sitting in glass – Chalk/Champagne/Classic.

Palate
Even and assured all the way across palate. Tension on finish. Contentment thereafter.
A fruited-sweet attaque ... and then that seductive acidity – not camouflaged by a dosage at only 4 g/L.
Moreover delicate, not minimalist.
Faintly recognisable pecan and Brazil nut, apple and spice. Refreshingly expressive.
Complete. Pure. Latent.

Origin: Champagne, France. Vineyard Regions; Vertus (25%), Verzenay (15%), Mesnil-sur-Oger (15%), Tauxieres (15%), Aÿ (10%), Cramant (10%), Cumières (5%), Avenay Val d’Or (5%).

Disgorge Date: 15 October 2018.

Wine Analysis: Alc/Vol: 12.5%, Acidity: 6.7g/L, pH: 3.02, Dosage: 4g/L, MLF: 100%.

Variety: 50% Chardonnay (Vertus, Mesnil-sur-Oger, Cramant), 50% Pinot Noir (Verzenay, Tauxieres, Aÿ, Cumières, Avenay Val d’Or).

Apart from a few days of extremely cold weather in early February, it would be fair to say that Champagne benefitted from a mild, if not rather wet, 2011/2012 winter. The weather then proceeded to warm up very quickly, creating an almost summer-like March (i.e. sunny, warm and dry). On average, budburst occurred at the end of March, approximately two weeks earlier than usual. Cold conditions returned in April, with temperatures falling below 0°C across ten nights. Dry conditions assisted to limit damage, although spring frosts still destroyed a part of the crop, particularly during the nights of April 16th and 17th. From May until mid-July, the weather remained cool and wet, which slowed the growth of the vines. August delivered terrific weather.

Perfect warm and dry conditions during the last weeks of ripening paved the way for a relaxed harvest of sound and impressive fruit. Optimal levels of ripeness were availed and picking commenced on 12th September. Although the 2012 harvest was not huge, it will certainly set a new benchmark and a legacy of long-lived wines.

It was in 1985 that Alain Thiénot founded the Champagne House bearing his name, drawing on the strength of his experience as a merchant and his privileged relations with the producers of the Champagne region. It was bold to accept this challenge in circles where the greatest names were made in the 18th century. Never compromising on quality or know-how, Alain Thiénot made his contemporary vision one of his greatest strengths. Over the ensuing years, the Alain Thiénot name has been conquering French and international markets through gastronomy. Alain passed on his passion and vision to his two children, Garance and Stanislas, who decided to work alongside him. Now, as an independent, family-run business with a resolutely modern approach, their Champagne House continues to develop.

The 2012 vintage is the first Champagne Thiénot x Penfolds release. This symbolically celebrates Penfolds 175th anniversary and marks the start of a wonderful French and Australian wine alliance.