Philipponnat Champagne Champagne Extra Brut Clos des Goisses Extra Brut 2012

Pale oyster shell and lemon colour, delicate shortbread biscuit and elderflower notes on the opening beats. A lovely sense of weight and expression, everything poised and with a sense of being driven forward by the fresh acidities. As things open, you get quince, raspberry pips, fleshy white pear, and a cloud of white blossom and violet flowers. Overall a sense that it grows in power and length, and this is a gorgeous Champagne with its distinctive and powerful house style. Dosage 4.5g (this is always the case with Philipponnat). 60% aged in Burgundy barrels, 40% in stainless steel tanks, no malo. A small yield after a cold winter and spring, then cool weather at flowering made for a small yield, with just 13,000 bottles (around half the most generous years). No malo, 3.08ph. Racking once, only at the time of blending. Blended and bottled May 2013, disgorged April 2021