Ratafia Ambre des Etrusques Tarlant

The Ratafia Ambre des Étrusques from Tarlant is one of the most precious, rare and mysterious creations from this family Champagne house whose history in Oeuilly stretches back to 1687. Only 260 bottles produced, from an exceptional Pinot Noir must fortified with grape spirit in 1998, representing more than twenty-five years of ageing before bottling. A treasure born of patience and time, in the tradition of the great long-aged ratafias of Champagne.

Production and ageing

Ratafia is the ancestral aperitif of Champagne, made according to a simple and timeless principle: fortification. At harvest time, fresh grape must from the press is fortified by the addition of grape spirit, which immediately halts alcoholic fermentation and preserves in the liqueur all the natural richness of the must's sugars. This marriage between the natural sweetness of grape juice and the power of grape spirit produces a fortified wine of natural generosity and complexity that neither wine nor spirit alone can achieve. Tarlant created the Ambre des Étrusques from 100 per cent Pinot Noir, fortifying in 1998 a must of exceptional quality and purity, then letting it age patiently in the Oeuilly cellars for more than twenty-five years. This extended ageing is the absolute secret of the complexity and aromatic depth of this confidential cuvée: the primary aromas of fresh fruit have gradually transformed into a tertiary bouquet of incomparable richness and depth for a Champagne ratafia. Alcohol content: 17.7 per cent vol.

Tasting profile

The colour is a dense and mysterious amber hue, deep and luminous, of a richness and visual complexity that silently bear witness to more than twenty-five years of patient ageing. The nose is striking in its complexity and seduction: an appealing bouquet of milk chocolate and dark chocolate makes an immediate impression, enriched by flashes of crispy almonds. Dried fruits, candied orange and apricot, blend with notes of candied ginger and orange peel, accompanied by hints of nougat and dark berry aromas. The whole speaks directly of the weight of years and the nobility of Champagne Pinot Noir through its aromatic depth and cohesion. On the palate, the Ambre des Étrusques reveals a silky and charming personality, enhanced by a harmonious interplay of sweetness and acidity. A blend of ripe, candied and dried fruits, chocolate, toffee and nougat unfolds intensely, gaining momentum from a vibrant natural acidity that preserves freshness and length. The finish is long, complex and persistent, of a depth and elegance that confirm the stature of this confidential creation.

The house

Maison Tarlant is an independent family Champagne house whose origins in Oeuilly, on the left bank of the Marne, date back to 1687. Benoît Tarlant, twelfth generation, runs with his sister Mélanie this exemplary 14-hectare estate in certified organic farming. Each grape variety from each parcel is vinified separately, each vintage is a precise portrait of a year and place, and each cuvée like the Ambre des Étrusques is a statement of absolute conviction and singularity.

Tasting and pairings

This Ratafia Ambre des Étrusques is best enjoyed lightly chilled between 10 and 12 °C, in a tasting glass, neat or over ice. It pairs beautifully with blue cheese ice cream and fresh figs, a classic lemon tart whose acidity dialogues with the liqueur's natural vibrancy, semi-cooked foie gras with citrus, intense 75 per cent dark chocolate or a handful of caramelised walnuts. Above all, this is a ratafia for solitary and contemplative tasting, to be shared on grand occasions with those who understand that 260 bottles produced over twenty-five years of patience represent one of the rarest and most precious expressions of Champagne.