At 12 litres, this format allows the wine to evolve with exceptional stability, producing a finer mousse and a more seamless integration of fruit and secondary character over time. The blend is built around Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier, sourced from a wide range of vineyards across Champagne. Chardonnay brings freshness and lift, Pinot Noir adds structure, and Meunier contributes fruit and accessibility, creating a balanced and consistent house profile. A defining feature of Lanson is the absence of malolactic fermentation. This preserves natural acidity and gives the wine a brighter, more linear edge, setting it apart from softer styles.
Parcel by parcel handling ensures precision during fermentation, which takes place in stainless steel to retain clarity and purity of fruit. A selection of reserve wines is included, adding depth and maintaining continuity between releases. Lees ageing gradually introduces notes of brioche, pastry, and light toast, while keeping the core citrus and orchard fruit clearly defined. In this larger format, these elements integrate more slowly, resulting in a smoother and more cohesive expression. Due to its size, the balthazar format is rare and requires specialised handling, making it more suited to large scale occasions or extended cellaring rather than everyday use. The overall style is fresh and structured, with a clean, precise profile supported by subtle richness and a refined texture.
Tasting Notes
Nose:
Citrus, green apple, and white flowers lead, followed by hints of brioche and almond. Clean and lifted.
Palate:
Crisp and balanced, with lemon, orchard fruit, and a fine mineral edge. The texture is smooth, supported by well integrated bubbles.
Finish:
Long and fresh, with lingering citrus, light toast, and a clean, structured close.
Background: One of the oldest Champagne Houses, Lanson was founded in 1760 by Francois Delamotte, a magistrate from Reims. The values and expertise that created the unique and enduring style of Champagne Lanson have been handed down from generation to generation. Since 1760, this has been the guiding philosophy of the successive generations that have promoted Lanson throughout the world. Centuries in the dedicated pursuit of perfection have established the House of Lanson as one of the premier champagne makers. Today, the marriage of a contemporary dynamism with age-old tradition brings pleasure to millions the world over. The beautiful cellars in the Rue de Courlancy were acquired in the early 1900s. These developments proved highly successful and during the late 19th Century, Lanson was supplying champagne by royal appointment to the courts of the United Kingdom, Sweden and Spain. This success has continued throughout the 20th Century and today the same ambitious spirit to conquer new markets has established Lanson as a Grande Maison worldwide. Presented in a Lanson branded Wood Box.
