Although you don’t feel like celebrating these days: drinking Thienot X Penfolds 2012 in the two versions, Blanc de Blancs and Blanc de Noirs, was a pleasure. The two champagnes from Thienot are a cooperation project with Penfolds for their 175th anniversary.
The grapes for the Blanc de Blancs are sourced from the Avize commune, the grapes for the Blanc de Noirs from the single vineyard Chambre aux Loups in Ay. The base and dosage wines were partly vinified in barriques from Penfolds’ top Chardonnay Yattarna.
My personal favourite of the two was the wonderfully straightforward Blanc de Blancs. It has only 2 grams of residual sugar is crystal clear, enormously tense and vibrant. Limes, grapefruit, green apple with lots of chalky minerality and an enormous substance on the palate. The delicate aromas of nuts and brioche perfectly complement the straightforward fruit. Very long and persistent with a wonderful mousse.
The Blanc de Noirs was also excellent. Powerful, intense with more volume on the palate – but not quite as focused as the Blanc de Blancs. Perfect with food.Nectarine, peach, apricot with raspberry and some redcurrant in the nose and palate. Fine minerality and saltiness. A brilliant double.
