Philipponnat : Cuvée 1522 Grand cru 2012

The precision and structure of a vintage Grand cru champagne

The estate

Having been established for nearly five centuries in Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, the Philipponnat Champagne House is one of the historical names in Champagne. Uniqueness, excellence, generosity and simplicity are the values which guide this house with a familial spirit. Owned by the house since 1935, the legendary Clos des Goisses is one of the oldest and most prestigious clos in Champagne. This jewel comes from rare champagnes and is endowed with an exceptional power.

The Philipponnat Champagne House overlooks an exceptional vineyard which comprises 20 hectares of Premier and Grand Crus in Ay, Mareuil-sur-Ay and Avenay.

The vineyard

The name Cuvée 1522 Grand Cru de Philipponnat refers to the year the Philipponnat family settled in the village of Ay. This champagne is produced from the house’s most beautiful vineyard, notably the historical “Léon” plots in Ay and from Mailly for pinot noir, as well as the vineyard in Verzy for chardonnay.

The vintage

2012 was a year with more limited yields due to winter and spring frosts, the coldness that followed flowering and flower abortion. July was marked by significant humidity. The harvest was of a good quality, with grapes that were packed with sugar and that had a very satisfactory level of acidity.

Winemaking and ageing

Produced from the house’s greatest vineyards, this exceptional cuvée is partially vinified in oak (sous bois) without malolactic fermentation. This champagne enjoys an 8-year ageing process and is a refined expression of the minerality, freshness and balance of the greatest terroirs in Champagne. Its dosage is 4.25g/litre.

Blend

The Cuvée 1522 Grand Cru 2012 by Philipponnat is the fruit of a blend of Pinot Noir (70%) and Chardonnay (30%).

Tasting

Colour

The wine is a light golden colour.

Nose

The perfect expression of this vintage through its concentration and precision, the nose seduces with its freshness and aromatic palette, which combines fragrances of sweet almond, candied lemon peel, dried cranberries and red fruit candies.

Palate

The palate unveils, with freshness and purity, tasty notes of spices which are typical to the Ay terroir with a chalky texture as well as a beautifully mineral finish.

Food and wine pairings

The Cuvée 1522 Grand Cru 2012 by Philipponnat goes perfectly with seafood, poached or grilled fish, fatty poultry (capon) and even caviar or spicy dishes (Indian tandoori). It is recommended, however, to avoid sweet-and-sour and sugary dishes.

Serving

For an optimal tasting, serve at between 8 and 9°C as an aperitif, or 10 and 12°C at the table.

Keeping

This exceptional champagne can wait in the cellar for a minimum of ten years to develop its aromatic complexity.