The Quest For Champagne

Champagne Lanson has bestowed upon us a mighty endeavor, a quest for Champagne, they recently released two outstanding 2004 Vintage Champagnes, becoming some of the oldest prestige vintage Champagnes currently available on the market.

It’s up to us to transport them from the Champagne Region to the United Kingdom, our quest will take us up through the north of France, across the Channel and into the wild lands of the British Market, it won’t be an easy quest, but it will be a Nobel one.

Those two bottles have been aged for almost two decades in the heart of Reims by Champagne Maison Lanson which was founded in 1760, making them one of the oldest Champagne Houses in existence today.

In these bottles in which we hold, are the contents of 2004, one of the truly remarkable vintage years from the Champagne Region, both produced by Champagne Maison Lanson, one of the oldest and most famous Champagne Producers in the world, who have recently released their Noble Champagne Brut 2004 and Noble Champagne Blanc De Blancs 2004, both being aged for 18 years before reaching their pinnacle point of release.

Leaving Champagne Maison Lanson in the Champagne Region and although it’s not a direct route out of France, its always well worth while taking a journey through Paris and making a few extra stops, at the likes of the Luxembourg Gardens (pictured above), the Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, Cathédrale Notre-Dame, Disneyland or even the Catacombs of Paris.

These Champagnes were produced without malolactic fermentation, to create some ‘excellent vintages that travel gracefully throughout the years’. although both provide a wonderful tasting experience right now, which I’ll talk about a bit later, both of these Champagnes have great potential if stored correctly, to age for further years to come.

Once we’ve reached the border, it’s time to cross the English Channel into Great Britain, deciding to travel by boat, rather than the Eurostar, the sea was thankfully rather calm, not sure if my boat would have handled too many big waves.

Now that we’re in England, with the precious Champagnes, let’s pop them open and get a taste of what 2004 tasted like for Champagne Maison Lanson.

Noble Champagne Brut 2004

The grapes used in this Champagne were sourced exclusively from Grand Cru sites from the Côte des Blancs and Montagne de Reims, consisting of 70% Chardonnay and 30% Pinot Noir

When looking for a food pairing with the Noble Champagne Brut 2004 look no further than a lobster recipe, each complement the other, and enhances the experience.

Masion Lason – Noble Champagne Brut 2004 – Tasting Notes

Aroma – “A rich yet delicate aroma of citrus, lemon, plums, green pears

Flavour – “Fresh lemon peel, lemon zest, notes of biscuits, shortbread, pastry, toast, oaky and nutty characters with the likes of hazelnut and almond

Noble Champagne Blanc de Blancs 2004

The Grapes grown for this bottle bloomed on the Côte des Blancs’ unique terroir.

When looking for a food pairing with the Noble Champagne Blanc de Blancs 2004, a scallop carpaccio will do wonders with highlighting the charm of this Noble and the dish.

Masion Lanson – Noble Champagne Blanc de Blancs 2004 – Tasting Notes

Aroma – “The aroma is filled with floral notes, like walking into a florist, with a touch of lime

Flavour – “Almond, hazelnut, biscuits, pastry and candied lemon sweets.

What Was The 2004 Vintage Year Like?

‘A providential vintage, 2004 presented varied and unexpected conditions throughout the seasons, yielding fruit typical of both a contrasted and generous year. The summer season came with a grey and veiled sky where light and heat were scarce. The month of September was salutary and gave way to what would become a masterpiece.’

Hervé Dantan, Winemaker at Maison Lanson says: “Everything in this wine is perfectly in its place. Time has done its work. The aromas have blossomed and are revealed today in a mature and very precise register. The wine has matured and continues to shimmer. The 2004 vintage offers an incomparable freshness”

“The summer season of the 2004 viticultural year came with a grey and veiled sky where light and heat were scarce. The month of September was salutary and created a masterpiece. A providential vintage, fruit of a contrasted and generous year, 2004 reinterprets the unique character of the seasons.” – Hervé Dantan

Both of these 2004 Noble Champagne from Lanson launched on the 29th of September, currently on the market, available for you to taste the vintage year of 2004, this could be that special Champagne that you were looking for, to enjoy on Christmas Day. They are priced at £140.00 for the Brut and £150.00 for the Blanc de Blancs, you can explore their website Noble Champagne to discover a little more info.

 

Image Credit: Knight – Boat – Street – Bedroom Window – Paris Garden