Philipponnat
Royale Réserve Brut Champagne Blend
Champagne, France
Solid cuvée. Their entry level.
A bit sweet at 8g but Extra Brut in 375’s a little harder to come by. 65% Pinot Noir, 32% Chardonnay and 3% Pinot Meunier. Base vintage 2020. Disgorged June 2024.
The mouth entry glides with rich, ripe; green apple, pineapple, white stone fruit, cherries, lemon pulp to meringue, lime zest, kiwi, tropical melons. Vanilla, caramel, cream, some yeast notes, toast, slivered almonds, crisp volcanic minerals with limestone, white spice that plunges into the palate with some heat, dry herb notes, chalk in bits & powder, saline, sea fossils, yellow flowers, white spring flower bouquet, crisp acidity with nice balance and a 90 second finish that long sets on spice & minerals.
In all my many travels to world wine regions during or just post harvest, the Clos De Goisses Pinot Noir fruit was absolutely the best…everything else, a fairly distance second. I ate 2-3 clusters.
Photos of: my visit to Philipponnat, 10/23. The Clos Des Goisses vineyard that strangely grows over their facility, the view of the Cote de Blancs from the Clos Des Goisses vineyard & entrance to their cellar.
Solid cuvée. Their entry level.
A bit sweet at 8g but Extra Brut in 375’s a little harder to come by. 65% Pinot Noir, 32% Chardonnay and 3% Pinot Meunier. Base vintage 2020. Disgorged June 2024.
The mouth entry glides with rich, ripe; green apple, pineapple, white stone fruit, cherries, lemon pulp to meringue, lime zest, kiwi, tropical melons. Vanilla, caramel, cream, some yeast notes, toast, slivered almonds, crisp volcanic minerals with limestone, white spice that plunges into the palate with some heat, dry herb notes, chalk in bits & powder, saline, sea fossils, yellow flowers, white spring flower bouquet, crisp acidity with nice balance and a 90 second finish that long sets on spice & minerals.
In all my many travels to world wine regions during or just post harvest, the Clos De Goisses Pinot Noir fruit was absolutely the best…everything else, a fairly distance second. I ate 2-3 clusters.
Photos of: my visit to Philipponnat, 10/23. The Clos Des Goisses vineyard that strangely grows over their facility, the view of the Cote de Blancs from the Clos Des Goisses vineyard & entrance to their cellar.
Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of 90 minutes. The Royale Réserve Brut pours a straw color with a persistent mousse. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of apple, lemon, raspberry, brioche, some toasted marshmallow, marzipan and limestone minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+ and the texture is creamy. Disgorged January 2024.
Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of 90 minutes. The Royale Réserve Brut pours a straw color with a persistent mousse. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of apple, lemon, raspberry, brioche, some toasted marshmallow, marzipan and limestone minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+ and the texture is creamy. Disgorged January 2024.
Aug 20th, 2025For $35 at the Benchmark Bin Sale I’m happy.
Reductive in style with shades of oxidative. Golden apple, bruised pear, apple cider notes, lemon & lime citrus, green melon, some pineapple juice, ginger, crumbled chalkiness, limestone, saline, sea fossils, baguette crust, yellow lilies, white flowers w/mixed greens. Good acidity with a nicely balanced finish.
Visited the property in October 2022 and it is impressive. The walk through the Clos de Goisses vineyard was spectacular. Ate two bunches of the unpicked Pinot Noir, which only furthered the reason I can no longer eat table grapes. As well, the view of the Cote de Blancs from there is stunning!
For $35 at the Benchmark Bin Sale I’m happy.
Reductive in style with shades of oxidative. Golden apple, bruised pear, apple cider notes, lemon & lime citrus, green melon, some pineapple juice, ginger, crumbled chalkiness, limestone, saline, sea fossils, baguette crust, yellow lilies, white flowers w/mixed greens. Good acidity with a nicely balanced finish.
Visited the property in October 2022 and it is impressive. The walk through the Clos de Goisses vineyard was spectacular. Ate two bunches of the unpicked Pinot Noir, which only furthered the reason I can no longer eat table grapes. As well, the view of the Cote de Blancs from there is stunning!
Wonderfully balanced. Golden color. Baked apple and buttered toast. Perfect.
Wonderfully balanced. Golden color. Baked apple and buttered toast. Perfect.
Feb 19th, 2023
Rich and fruit forward. Needs substantial air to knit together would wait a year or two. Otherwise closed it and had 4 hours later and it was very nice.
Rich and fruit forward. Needs substantial air to knit together would wait a year or two. Otherwise closed it and had 4 hours later and it was very nice.
Sep 10th, 2022
Lemon and lime, minerals. Like sprite for grown ups.
Lemon and lime, minerals. Like sprite for grown ups.
Jan 31st, 2021
Vendage 2013
Degorement fevrier 2019
Vendage 2013
Degorement fevrier 2019
Tasty lemon curd and brioche. On the toastier, richer end of the spectrum. Based on the 2012 Vintage. Disgorged November 2016.
Tasty lemon curd and brioche. On the toastier, richer end of the spectrum. Based on the 2012 Vintage. Disgorged November 2016.
May 6th, 2019