Les Cintres, 2012

The name refers to the arches found it the vineyard’s supporting walls, and the two plots used in the blend come from the steepest, centrally located slopes of Clos des Goisses, Les Grand Cintres and Les Petites Cintres. They are the oldest vines in the Clos, up to 70 years old, and those that receive the most sunshine, facing due south across the Marne canal. The Pinot Noir grown here achieves some of the highest levels of ripeness in the entire region. Les Cintres purrs with intense red berry aromas, raspberry eau de vie, warm spice, citrus zest, cherry and red currant. Powerful and concentrated, it has impressive snap and acidity, as well as detail and definition, all the more so since it comes from the two steepest plots in Clos des Goisses and hails from a vintage famed for its concentration. It reminds Charles Philipponnat of the 1979, with concentration and high acidity – which is an enticement for anyone accustomed to drinking Champagne from that vintage... A 100% Pinot Noir cuvee, with a pH under 3, fermented and aged in oak barrels with no MLF and a dosage of 4.5g/l. This singular, broad, intense and vinous offering that was disgorged in June 2022 – we fully expect it to blossom and unfurl with extended aging in bottle.