Tribaut Schloesser 2012 Champagne Extra Brut, "Authentique", Romery

Over the years we’ve offered several champagnes from Tribaut-Schloesser, but this is the first time we went all-out on the outstanding vintage extra-brut from them, which is only made in special vintages.  Valentin and Sébastien Tribaut now run the winery with the latter serving as winemaker.  Together they make up the 4^th generation running this 1926 estate.  This 2012 is made from 80% Pinot Noir from Romery (just north of Epernay) and 20% Chardonnay from Aÿ, spending one year in oak barrels and an astonishing 8 years on the lees which not only rounded out the fruit, but helped provide the dry champagne’s considerable character.  With a toasty aroma, it has loads of very rich and full flavors, with a long finish that keeps developing in the mouth.  A very special and generous bubbly.  We bought the last few bottles in the importer’s inventory.