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Champagne Ayala

La Perle 2012

Champagne, France

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A treasure in the portfolio, La Perle is produced only in exceptional years, according to practices that have remained faithful to the Champagne tradition. Composed of a majority of Chardonnay, this wine captures the essence of the Champagne terroir, in the purest respect of the style of the House.

This beautifully refined prestige cuvée is 80% Chardonnay and 20% Pinot Noir, all from Grand Cru villages.

Vineyard

Ayala currently owns 35 acres in Champagne. Thanks to its privileged location in the heart of the Grand Crus of Montagne de Reims and their link to Bollinger, they also have unique access to top quality grapes. Fruit for this prestige Champagne was selected from 100% Grand Crus villages.

Winemaking

This beautifully refined prestige cuvée is 80% Chardonnay and 20% Pinot Noir, all from Grand Cru villages. Everything from grape reception to vinification, aging, riddling and disgorgement is done at the Ayala cellars. The Cuvée Perle d’Ayala rests in the cellar for 9 years after disgorgement under cork (not crown), in order to allow for controlled oxidation and development of complex aromas and flavors. This is a very rare practice in Champagne today.

Vintage

This superb vintage gave birth to a very generous and expressive wine combining vivacity and complexity for a perfect balance. It was a year with low yields of great quality, which promotes the exceptional character of this cuvée. 2012 was the first harvest with Caroline Latrive as Cellarmaster, which she described as a vintage “characterized by a very particular climatology and an absolutely perfect grape health at the harvest. The extracted musts were of an exceptional quality very healthy and the Chardonnay from the Côte des Blancs turned out to be particularly concentrated and full of character.”

Tasting Note

Bright golden color with fine bubbles. Expressive and complex nose with notes of cloved orange, gingerbread, vanilla from Madagascar, hazelnut and tobacco.

The mouth is marked by minerality and tension. Starting with purity and freshness with menthol notes, and revealing luscious notes of cooked fruits, Ecuadorian chocolate. A bright and long finish with delicate notes of verbena and lime tree.

Food Pairing

La Perle 2012 will pair perfectly with a beef tataki or a duck breast fillet slightly honeyed with confit carrots. But also, a leg of lamb, a mirabelle plum tart, or even some Tête de Moine cheese.

Color

White

Grape Varieties

Chardonnay, Pinot Noir

Appellation

Champagne, France

Farming

Ayala encourages their growers to use organic fertilizers and avoid insecticides, herbicides and pesticides.

Alcohol

12.0%

Suggested Retail Price

$180.00

Reviews

94

"Spice, Nougat"

Decanter - June 21, 2022 "Biscuit and sea air nose and then a whisky hum that is so exciting. A complex, super wine. Plenty of spice, nougat, tinder and smoke." T.H 12/21

94

"Bread dough and vanilla"

James Suckling - July 13, 2022 "Sliced apple and pear aromas with some honeysuckle. Hints of bread dough and vanilla, too. Full-bodied with lots of soft bubbles that energize the pie-crust and apple-tart flavors. So flavorful and persistent. Salted caramel on the finish. Drink now or hold." J.S 6/22

94

"Honeycomb and camomile"

James Suckling - July 13, 2022 "Beautiful nose of lemons, chalk, biscuits, dried apples, honeycomb and some chamomile. Medium-bodied with sharp acidity and soft, creamy bubbles. Well-integrated minerals and some almond notes to the underlying fresh-lemon character. Focused." J.S 9/21

Trade Materials

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Champagne Ayala La Perle Bottle Shot

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