Lanson Gold Label Brut Champagne Vintage 1997

Grape proportions: 53% Pinot Noir, 47% Chardonnay

Disgorged in 2007

Tasted on Feb 26, 2009

Pale gold hue with firm mousse.

On the nose, initially very green notes of lime, then giving way to lemon zest mingled with biscuit and slight notes of honey. Extended ageing on lees (almost 9 years) surely paid off - I found such combination of young green citrus notes and autolytic complexity(biscuity character) very satisfying. I would describe it as 'young(strong) but complex'. And just from the strong green notes on the nose, you can surely bet that this bubbly has plenty of acidity, living to the standard of 'acidic Lanson'.

On the palate, very firm structure. Plenty of fruit so that the high acidity is well supported. Citrus fruit followed by hints of honey. For those who enjoy (or need) high acidity in their bubbly, Gold Label 97 is accessible now and quite enjoyable already as an apperitif. But surely it's promising for the cellar and can develop more complexity in next 2 to 3 years.

The perfomance of Gold Label in such a so-so year of 1997 help me make up my mind to keep the monster Gold Label 96 in the cellar for a couple of years more before popping the cork!