Champagne Deutz Brut Vintage 2012

2012 was a year of two halves. The year began poorly with late Spring
frosts, hailstorms and poor fruit-set due to rain at flowering. The
misery continued with a damp June and July requiring constant
treatment for mildew, and resulting in uneven ripening of the
grapes. As a result of these calamities, yields were reduced by 25%
to 30%. From August onwards however, perfect conditions allowed
the grapes to catch-up, and many ripening discrepancies were
evened out. Deutz eventually began harvesting on 18th September
(over a week after the date permitted by the CIVC), having achieved
great sugar ripeness from this extended hang-time. The end result,
particularly for the Pinots, was overwhelmingly healthy and well-ripened
fruit with excellent sugar-acid balance.

Deutz Brut Vintage is always Pinot-led, and in 2012 Pinot Noir
comprised two thirds of the wine, with grapes coming from the
Grand Cru vineyards of Aÿ, Bouzy and Ambonnay. The balance is
comprised of Chardonnay from the Côte des Blancs (Mesnil and
Chouilly), and Pinot Meunier from Leuvrigny. The grapes were
pressed and vinified at Deutz’s state of the art winery in Aÿ, with each
individual parcel being vinified in its own separate tank. Following
alcoholic and malolactic fermentation in stainless steel tanks, the vin
clairs were tasted and blended in the Spring of 2013, with the final
assemblage happening in June. Customarily vintage cuvées are aged
for a minimum of 5 years at Champagne Deutz. However, given the
generous and fruit forward style of the 2012 vintage, it was decided

Beautiful, light golden hue with a sustained and elegant sparkle.
Elegant and powerful with lush yet delicate ripe fruit aromas. The
structure is both complex and precise, with notes of sun-filled
peaches and gooseberries. The finish is rich, long and very promising.
A few years of bottle ageing will allow it to reach its full potential.