Clos des Goisses Philipponnat

This is Philipponnat's flagship wine, Clos des Goisses Champagne. It's a meticulously crafted Champagne that scores incredibly high marks from various international wine writers. The history of Philipponnat Champagne is very long, dating back to 1522. Even then, the family was already active in producing exquisite wines, but since 1910, they have found happiness in the Champagne region. It was in 1910 that Auguste and Pierre Philipponnat purchased an eighteenth-century wine cellar located in Mareuil-sur-Ay, five kilometers east of Epernay. The unique cellar and its vineyards are still owned by the family and give the Champagnes their strength and richness. The Pinot Noir grape is Philipponnat's undisputed friend, as every Champagne contains a significant portion of it. For this top-quality cuvee, Clos des Goisses, Philipponnat also uses mostly Pinot Noir with a touch of Chardonnay.

The old vineyard surrounded by a wall

For this top cuvée from Philipponnat, the grapes come from two walled vineyards covering 5.5 hectares. The vineyards are called Clos des Goisses, and they contain the oldest vines of this beautiful estate. This vineyard was purchased in 1935, and the family knew even then that these grapes would nourish the estate's finest Champagne. And they were right: the plants produce beautiful clusters thanks to their location on the south-facing slopes of the Marne River, a place where the grapes reach peak ripeness. This Champagne can only be produced in the very best vintages, and when it is produced, only a few bottles are brought to the Netherlands.

Full and very powerful this Clos des Goisses Champagne

It's comparable to top Champagnes from Krug, Dom Pérignon, and so on. Opening this oldie, we smell the aged aromas of fresh toast, ripe pear, and a touch of roasted nuts. Pouring reveals a golden yellow color with a thick golden rim from aging. This Clos des Goisses Champagne matures for years in the cellars, creating a very fine bubble. The soft bubbles catch our attention, and we bring our nose to the glass. We smell a broad and complex aroma of yellow fruit, interspersed with spices, hazelnuts, brioche bread, and some fresh herbs. The palate is equally full and complex, with a richness of yellow fruit, accompanied by nuts and a hint of honey.