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Wine Description
The Story
Founded in 1830, the Champagne Philippe Gonet is located in the heart of Le Mesnilsur-Oger. The 20 hectares of family vineyard are spread over 35 plots planted in 8 villages different.
This champagne is defined by the exclusive and confi dential selection of grand cru Chardonnays from Mesnil-sur-Oger, where certain vines were planted in 1929. A harvest that takes no shortcuts, this cuvée owes its name to the fossils, the belemnite rostrums, which line the soil. This champagne is the perfect expression of the chalky terroir that bore it. The wine rests for at least 6 years in our cellars, and has an extra-brut level of dryness.
The Philippe Gonet style combines minerality and pleasure. Our vines all benefit from legendary terroir made up of limestone subsoil, rich in fossils, 40 meters deep, formed more than 100 million ago years. This terroir is worked insecticide-free, herbicide-free, and with organic fertilizer.
Soil: Chalk
Elevation: 50m to 150m
Grape variety: 100% Chardonnay
Plot: 100% Le Mesnil-sur-Oger Grand Cru
Aging: 6 months in thermo-regulated stainless steel or resin epoxy tanks 6 months followed by 7 years in the bottle at a constant 12°C in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger
Alcohol Content: 12%
References:
Guy Savoy *** in Paris
Les Crayères ** in Reims
The Champenoise Plate *** at Reims
Per Se *** in New York
The Clarence ** in Paris
Vintage 2004
A great example of how large yields do not necessarily mean poor quality in Champagne. As a reaction to the previous year's low yields, the vines produced one of the largest crops on record. The growing season proceeded without major difficulties but the bumper crop called for bud thinning. August brought about cooler weather and some rains, increasing the risk of rot. The massive crop, averaging 13,990 kg/ha, was picked from September 18th onwards. The quality was a pleasant surprise; vibrant wines with appropriate intensity, refined charm and refreshing lightness. This vintage impresses me more and more, and I feel tempted to give it the full five stars. It comes with a rare balance of freshness, lightness, yet fine aromatic intensity. Post-release, this vintage has proven to be slow to age, and elegant wines are likely to keep on ageing gracefully. Dom Pérignon and Louis Roederer Cristal both excelled.
