{"product_id":"2012-champagne-philipponnat-les-cintres","title":"2012 Champagne Philipponnat Les Cintres","description":"\u003cp\u003eFrom one of Champagne’s most revered growers, the 2012 Champagne Philipponnat Les Cintres is a rare, single-vineyard cuvée that captures the full power and precision of Mareuil-sur-Ay’s steepest slopes. Sourced from a walled cru with chalk bedrock close to the surface, this is a Champagne made in deliberately small quantities and released only in vintages that truly deserve it. Les Cintres stands out for its combination of intensity, minerality, and age‑worthy structure, making it as compelling at the table as it is in the cellar.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn the glass, the 2012 Les Cintres shows a deep, luminous golden hue with a persistent ring of very fine, delicate bubbles that form a refined mousse. The initial aromas are pure and vibrant: ripe yellow orchard fruits, mirabelle plum and crisp green apple, gradually opening to notes of acacia blossom, subtle white flowers and a gentle, toasty nuance from extended aging on the lees.\n\nOn the palate, this Champagne is both vinous and precise, with an enveloping, almost creamy texture framed by a vibrant, linear acidity. Flavours of fresh stone fruit, citrus oil and green apple are layered with hints of honey, linden blossom and a touch of brioche and roasted nuts. The finish is long, chalk‑driven and saline, reflecting the proximity of the limestone bedrock, with a tightly coiled mineral core that promises further complexity with time. Already beautifully composed, the 2012 has the concentration and structure to age gracefully for well over a decade under good cellar conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduction\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLes Cintres is sourced from a historic, walled vineyard (clos) on the best south‑facing slopes of Mareuil‑sur‑Ay, one of Champagne’s most distinctive terroirs. Here, the vines grow on extraordinarily steep inclines, with pure chalk lying very close to the surface, delivering both ripeness and a striking mineral backbone. Grapes are hand‑harvested at optimal maturity and rigorously sorted to ensure only pristine fruit makes it into the press. A significant portion of the must is vinified in oak barrels to add texture and complexity, while the remainder is fermented in tank to preserve tension and freshness. Philipponnat blocks malolactic fermentation to retain the wine’s natural acidity and energy, then ages the wine sur lie in bottle for many years at a constant, cool cellar temperature. A very low dosage is added at disgorgement, allowing the terroir’s inherent vinosity, salinity and minerality to shine through with clarity.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFood \u0026amp; Serving\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is a gastronomic Champagne best enjoyed with richly flavoured dishes rather than as a simple apéritif. Think turbot or halibut with beurre blanc, roasted langoustine or lobster, scallops with brown butter, or poultry in a creamy morel sauce. It also pairs beautifully with refined veal dishes and aged, soft cheeses such as Brie de Meaux or Chaource. Serve well‑chilled, ideally around 10–12°C, allowing the wine to warm slightly in the glass as it unfolds. For mature bottles or when serving with complex dishes, decanting for 20–30 minutes in a wide‑based carafe can help the wine fully express its depth and aromatics.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProducer\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePhilipponnat is a historic Champagne house with roots in the region dating back to the 16th century, and a long tradition of crafting distinctive, terroir‑driven wines from the villages around Mareuil‑sur‑Ay. Renowned for its mastery of Pinot Noir and its pioneering work with single‑vineyard Champagnes, the house famously brought Clos des Goisses to the world’s attention and has since become a benchmark for concentrated, age‑worthy cuvées. By focusing on low yields, meticulous vineyard work and a thoughtful use of oak, Philipponnat has secured a reputation as one of Champagne’s most serious, wine‑focused producers, with Les Cintres standing among its most sought‑after and limited releases.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Philipponnat","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54251861868881,"sku":"GCW-PHIL-12121207","price":515.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0874\/0614\/9969\/files\/visuel_-_bouteille_cbo1_les_cintres_2012.jpg?v=1783441932","url":"https:\/\/bottlehero.com\/products\/2012-champagne-philipponnat-les-cintres","provider":"Bottle Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}