Champagne Discovery

Our “Champagne of the Month” for June 2025 comes from someone we have got to know very well over the years, the one and only Agnès Corbon. She controls the 6 hectare family estate that has a prime 1.1 hectare plot of vines behind the family house in Avize. Other holdings include plots in the Vallée de la Marne at Trélou-sur-Marne, Vandières, Verneuil and Vincelles. Agnès phased out the use of herbicides and pesticides some years ago and encourages enherbement. Sulphur use in the wines is kept low and they are never fined or filtered. Champagne Corbon continues to produce delicious wines with incredible ageing potential.

 

The millésime 2012 comes from one of Champagne’s great vintage years. As is often the case in great years, conditions were difficult early on. A mild Winter gave way to a freezing February when temperatures plummeted to as low as -20 degrees Celsius. A warm March encouraged early budding, so often a problem for a region prone to late frosts. April was wet and those troublesome late frosts finally arrived in May causing a fair amount of damage across the region. Despite the frosts, the early season was wet, very wet in fact; setting a twenty-year record and of course bringing the dreaded mildew with it. The rain finally stopped in mid-July and didn’t return before harvest and temperatures soared, so much so that August saw a heatwave. This assisted in drying the grapes and preventing further disease. 2012’s will have the potential for fantastic longevity and can be cellared for many years.

 

The Avize Grand Cru Millésime 2012 consists of 100% Chardonnay from the 1.1 hectare plot in Avize behind the Corbon family home. Vinified in fûts de chêne it is neither fined nor filtered. It is allowed around 6 to 7 years ageing on the lees prior to disgorgement with a dosage of 3.5gl. Alcohol is at 12% abv and the bottle is sealed with a Mytik cork.

 

 

Tasted 19:25 Saturday 26th April 2025 (fruit day in the lunar calendar) 

 

Glassware: Chef and Sommelier – Reveal’Up ‘Intense’.

 

Appearance: Clear, pale, lemon.

 

Characteristics: Pronounced intensity with primary aromas of honeysuckle, elderflower, lemon blossom, apple blossom, green apple, Chiku, pear, quince, grapefruit, lemon juice, lemon rind, orange juice, orange peel, peach, pineapple, mango, lychee, honeydew melon, passion fruit, star anise and mint. There are secondary notes of chausson aux pommes, lemon meringue pie, biscuits palmier, toasted brioche and madeleines. Tertiary aromas include almond brittle, marzipan, gingerbread, toffee apple, marmalade, dried apricot, dried apple, cinnamon, toast, hay and honey.

 

Price circa €48.00 

 

Another top-drawer wine from Agnès Corbon, utterly delicious and disappeared in a flash! This 2012 is drinking beautifully now but has the potential to continue improving for many, many years.