2012 Cuvée des Hussards Brut Frerejean-Fréres Champagne 0.75l

2012 Cuvée des Hussards Brut Frerejean-Fréres – Champagne
single-vineyard wine

Origin:

The Cuvée des Hussards is the prestige bottling of Maison Frerejean Frères , founded in 2005 by brothers Guillaume, Richard, and Rodolphe Frerejean Taittinger in Avize . Their family unites two traditions: the winemaking heritage of the renowned Taittinger line and the industrial heritage of their father's family, who, as master blacksmiths, had been crafting the legendary Frerejean cannons since 1778 – originally for Napoleon's cavalry, the "Hussars." This cuvée is dedicated to them: powerful, refined, and designed for long aging.

Expansion:

The grapes come from vines over 40 years old from Premier and Grand Cru plots, including Vertus (Premier Cru) . The blend consists of 90% Chardonnay and 10% Pinot Noir . After traditional bottle fermentation, the wine matured on its lees for over 10 years , giving it its complex aromas, fine texture, and great ageing potential.

Aroma & Taste:

The 2012 vintage presents a precise, fresh, yet profound aroma : notes of citrus fruits, white flowers, and ripe pear combine with roasted nuts, brioche, and a fine minerality . On the palate, it is powerful and expressive , carried by lively acidity and creamy mousse. The finish is long, saline, and elegant , with hints of honey and flint.

Food recommendation:

An ideal accompaniment to fine dining : scallops with lemon butter , grilled turbot , veal fillet with morel sauce , or even goose liver terrine . It's equally impressive with mature Comté or as a festive stand-alone.

Special features of the 2012 vintage in Champagne:

The 2012 vintage in Champagne is one of the best of the decade. After a difficult spring with frost, hail, and clouding, a warm, dry summer followed, providing ideal conditions for ripening. Yields were low, but the grapes were of exceptional quality: concentrated, aromatically dense, and with excellent acidity . 2012 produced long-lasting Champagnes that gain complexity with age.

Conclusion:

The Cuvée des Hussards Brut 2012 embodies the philosophy of Frerejean Frères: time, patience, and provenance are the foundation of great Champagne. Named after the hussars who once fought with Frerejean cannons and pioneered the custom of sabre-cutting, this wine is a powerful symbol of tradition and modernity . A Champagne of great elegance and depth, created for long aging—and a testament to the still young but ambitious Maison Frerejean Frères.