Following a successful domestic launch in France last year, Maison Lanson has officially unveiled its Le Black Création 257 blend to the Australian market ahead of the summer festive season.
The 257th blend of the house’s signature multi-vintage brut and based on the 2017 harvest, the new release replaces the previous Le Black Label as a premium non-vintage Champagne with at least 45% reserve wines. The change to a numbered series is reportedly part of a decade-long shift in the way that Maison Lanson is rethinking its winemaking tools and blending traditional vinification with evolving growing practices which was first brought about when Chef des Caves Hervé Dantan took over the Champagne house in 2013.
Included in the Maison Lanson Le Black Création 257 blend is Pinot Noir (51%), Chardonnay (36%) and Pinot Meunier (13%), all of which have been aged for a minimum of four years in the cellars before being revealed. According to the Champagne house, consumers should expect flavours of ripe orchard fruit, with notes of mandarin, lemon and grapefruit on the palate, while aromas are described as a bouquet of tangy fruit such as William pear, apple and citrus.
Most of the parcels incorporated in the blend herald from the 2017 harvest, which saw record-high temperatures in spring followed by an intense frost in April and a warm, sunny summer with heavy rainfalls. This caused mould to develop quickly and therefore, the harvests were accelerated, and extra care was taken in sorting the grapes.
Chardonnay benefited from these conditions, displaying unusual elegance and freshness, while Pinot Noirs revealed an intense fruity character, and Meuniers boasted generosity and suppleness.
Maison Lanson Le Black Création 257 is now available at selected wine retailers nationwide at an RRP of $72.
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Building a strong Champagne program, with Director of the Champagne Bureau Australia
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