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An emblematic Champagne
A 5.83 hectare walled vineyard, the Clos des Goisses occupies the best hillside in Mareuil-sur-Ay. Owned by the House for almost a century, it is the main example of the balance that is so important to us. All our work is inspired by it: facing due south, it is unique and instantly recognisable for its extremely steep slope. Using grapes from the region’s oldest and most famous walled vineyard, the first to be vinified and blended separately, Philipponnat creates a wine that is exceptionally powerful for Champagne.
The 2013 vintage of Clos des Goisses is a blend of 85% Pinot Noir and 15% Chardonnay. The harvest started late, with good grape maturity, producing a fresh and elegant vintage reminiscent of a time before global warming. Aged on lees for an extra eight years at a constant temperature of 12°C in the House’s historic cellars in Mareuil-sur-Ay. The very low dosage (4.25 g/litre) gives full expression to this exceptional vineyard’s vinosity and minerality.
Tasting it is a particularly intense experience: a bright colour with lovely effervescence, it offers elegant floral notes that develop on the nose with aromas of redcurrant and red fruit leading into pleasant toasted notes, before the rich yet mineral palate takes over with fruit-driven notes of blackberry and small red fruit. The long, fresh and elegant finish is typical of this vintage, which is sublime when paired with dishes with strong flavours. Clos des Goisses 2013 benefits from being decanted into a carafe before serving. Already cellar-aged for eight years, and released to market only when perfectly mature, it can then be kept for several decades and will continue to develop magnificently in the right conditions.
