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Philipponnat Clos des Goisses 1996 Brut Champagne (750ml)

Grape proportions: 50% Pinot Noir, 50% Chardonnay

Disgorged in April, 2006

Tasted in March, 2011

In view this bottle was disgorged 5 years ago, the shape of the cork easily proves the ideal storage condition!    

18:20 First served upon uncorking.

Lemon gold. Impetuous upsurging of so many fine bubbles, like torrents defying gravity or an eruption of submarine volcano -- spectacular!     

Intense, assertive bouquet right from the start: roasted coffee beans, toffee, salty minerality and acidulous citrus.

The palate is compactly full bodied and supremely focused: the stunning acidity simply sweeps the board, accompanied by coffee-like, nutty complexity. Indeed, this is a monster wine that is wakened up way too early, yet it is terribly thrilling for us to fight this monster right now!

18:41 When warmed up in the glass, the mouthfeel becomes much more generous with rich fruit and fireworks of coffee and nuts.

18:48 On the palate, a subtle note of honey joins the coffee complexity.

18:56 The bouquet becomes more opulent with a lovely note of milk chocolate. Coffee-like and honeyed taste.

19:40 1 hour and 20 minutes after uncorking, this demanding, powerhouse champagne finally hits the sweet spot: wonderfully complex bouquet of crushed chalk, toast, roasted coffee beans and acacia honey; the palate filled with exquisite, crystalline fruit in a perfect balance of sour-sweetness.

A tough, stunning Clos des Goisses! Still way too young now at the age of 15. May need another 15 years to get closer to its pinnacle...