Philipponnat Grand Blanc '13

- Outstanding champagne house based in Mareuil-Sur-Aÿ (close to Billecart-Salmon)

- 100% Chardonnay from the Côte des Blancs. First press juice from exclusively Premier and Grand Cru plots.

- An excellent example of vintage Blanc de blancs

Golden in colour with a delicate column of bubbles with a delicate nose, combining notes of acacia honey and fresh almond. With aeration, notes of apricot brandy develop. This is a generous and creamy palate with delicate notes of peach and vanilla. The finish is mineral and retains wonderful freshness.

One of the most underrated champagnes in our humble opinion. Philipponnat is a house of outstanding quality from their entry level Royale Reserve Brut all the way through to their iconic Clos des Goisses Vintages. This premium producer picks fruit with maximum ripeness and focus on pinot noir fruit with power. All this ripeness is balanced with a long, cool fermentation and some wines being blocked from malolactic fermentation, whilst being fermented in oak barrels. Careful blending of base wines complete the work of art on non-vintage cuvees with approximately 30% of reserve wines being added.

Reserve wines are aged in a perpetual Solera system with new wines being added to older wines every year, continuously adding more complexity and depth to young cuvees.

Aged from seven to nine years to develop maximum complexity and to highlight the secondary and tertiary aromas which are the hallmark of extended aging on lees.

Vinified using traditional methods to avoid premature oxidation. Partial malolactic fermentation for the wines in vats and vinification without malolactic fermentation for the wines in wooden barrels. An elegant wine that preserves a balance between freshness, floral aromas and vinosity. Extra brut dosage (4.25 g/litre) to preserve its original purity and distinction.

Ideal as an aperitif. An excellent accompaniment to fish and shellfish (prawns and lobster, whether poached or served with white butter sauce).