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Champagne Ayala

Perle d’Ayala 2005

Champagne, France

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A treasure in the portfolio, Perle d’Ayala 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

The harvest in 2005 was average in volume, but the quality of the fruit was excellent. The Indian summer in September allowed for an exceptional maturity of the grapes.

Tasting Note

“Pale gold. Pungent, sharply focused citrus and orchard fruit aromas are complemented by suggestions of brioche, smoky minerals and jasmine, with a hint of melon emerging with air. Silky, nervy and dry, offering taut Meyer lemon and bitter pear skin flavors and a suggestion of truffle. Finishes stony and very long, with lingering smokiness and an echo of white flowers. There’s a very attractive delicacy to this Champagne. 6 g/l Dosage.” – 93 Points, Vinous

Food Pairing

Thanks to its remarkable intensity and pedigree in terms of provenance, Perle d’Ayala 2005 is a great match for noble dishes, such as seared foie gras, chicken with a mushroom sauce or braised veal sweetbreads.

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

$175.00

Reviews

93

"very attractive delicacy to this Champagne"

Vinous - August 10, 2018 “Pale gold. Pungent, sharply focused citrus and orchard fruit aromas are complemented by suggestions of brioche, smoky minerals and jasmine, with a hint of melon emerging with air. Silky, nervy and dry, offering taut Meyer lemon and bitter pear skin flavors and a suggestion of truffle. Finishes stony and very long, with lingering smokiness and an echo of white flowers. There’s a very attractive delicacy to this Champagne. 6 g/l Dosage.”

93

"beautifully integrated acids and excellent length"

John Gilman - August 10, 2018 “The wine offers up an excellent nose of apple, pear, incipient notes of pastry cream, chalky soil tones, biscuits and a lovely topnote of spring flowers. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and still quite youthful, with a lovely core, elegant mousse, crisp, beautifully integrated acids and excellent length and grip on the poised and still fairly primary finish.”

91

"A fresh, balanced version in a subdued style"

Wine Spectator - August 10, 2018 “A fresh, balanced version in a subdued style, presenting subtle notes of poached pear, spring blossom, pastry dough and salted almond. Lightly spiced and creamy in texture, with a firm finish.”

96

"very creamy, dense and complex"

Le Pan - August 10, 2018 “This cuvee, produced only in top years, and in limited quantities, marks the year the venerable, family-run Ayala was bought by Bollinger. Released after almost nine years on the lees, it is “very creamy, dense and complex” says Charles Curtis MW.”

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