Philipponnat 'Clos de Goisses' Grand Cru Extra Brut, Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, Champagne 2013

The first clos and first terroir to be vinified and blended separately, Clos des Goisses is unique and instantly recognizable for its extremely steep slope. Its slope reaches 45°, hence the origin of its name: in the local dialect, “Goisses” means a very steep slope. Cellar aged for many years and released for sale only when fully mature, it can be kept for several decades and will continue to develop magnificently under the right conditions.

• Cellar Master: Thierry Garnier
• Varieties: 85% Pinot Noir and 15% Chardonnay.
• Farming: Sustainable
• Terroir: The 5.83 hectare vineyard protected by walls is one of the region’s few “clos” and the oldest and steepest in Champagne. In a perfect position facing due south, it stands on the best hillside in Mareuil-sur-Ay. It really is an exceptional terroir where the chalky bedrock is very close to the surface. 
• Vinification: Partial vinification (47%) in wooden barrels leads to more complexity without premature oxidation. There is no malolactic fermentation, which enables the wine’s natural acidity to compensate the powerful character of the terroir.
• Aging: Lees aged for eight years in the bottle, also referred to as second fermentation or “prise de mousse”, 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 the vinosity and minerality of this exceptional vineyard.
• Critical Acclaim:
  • 99 PTS, Wine Enthusiast
  • 98 PTS Wine Advocate
  • 97 PTS Decanter

The Philipponnat family has continuously owned vineyards in the heart of Champagne for nearly 500 years, and is synonymous with arguably the greatest single terroir in the region, Clos de Goisses. From 1935 until 1979 (with the introduction of Krug's Clos de Mesnil), it was the only single vineyard Champagne in the region. Its walled 5.5 hectares vineyard is not only the oldest in Champagne, but also the steepest, at 45°. This explains the origin of its name: in the local dialect, "Gois" means a very steep slope. This exceptional terroir with chalky soil is ideally situated facing due South, on Mareuil-sur-Ay’s best hillside. British Champagne expert Tom Stevenson says that “there can be no doubt that Clos des Goisses boasts the most climatically distinct, naturally occurring and expressive terroir in Champagne.”