La Grande Recolte, Bouzy, Grand Cru, 2012
Bottled with just one gram of dosage, and disgorged after nine years sur lie, La Grande Recolte 2012 offers up an arresting bouquet that runs from peaches to first flush Darjeeling tea and fresh chalk. Crystalline and exceptionally clear on the palate, with impressive depth and lift, it shows off notes of pear, fine fresh lemon, flint, red berry and salty crushed stones. A Champagne of depth and precision. Enjoyable now, this glorious release will undoubtedly continue to age for many years to come.
critic reviews
Disgorged in January 2023 with a dosage of one gram per liter, the 2012 Bouzy Grand Cru La Grande Recolte hails from a time when Antoine Paillard had already begun working alongside his father during harvest and vinification, although some changes have since taken place, particularly in terms of yield management and refinement of barrel program. Derived from four old-vine parcels, its showing very well, displaying only the earliest signs of maturity, soaring from the glass with a bouquet of dried flowers, pear and brioche, mingling with orange zest. Medium to full-bodied, ample and concentrated, with bright acidity, firm chalky grip and a precise, mineral finish, it is elegant and refreshingly racy.