For nearly 500 years, the Philipponnat family has tended vines in Champagne. They’ve supplied the courts of Kings and Queens and lay claim to a number of firsts in the region – from indicating the primary vintages used in non-vintage blends, to including dosage levels and disgorgement dates on their back label (which we LOVE!), and even making Champagne’s very first single, named vineyard Champagne offering with their revered Clos des Goisse bottling nearly a century ago. 

Today, the estate is run by Charles Philipponnat – the latest in the long-enduring and historic Champagne family. He took over the running of the estate in 1999 and Philipponnat has enjoyed perhaps its most successful era to date under his supervision. His father was the revered chef de caves at Moët from 1949 to 1977 – crafting the iconic 1961 Dom Pérignon, among others, during his tenure there. You could argue that great Champagne is simply in his blood, and after one sip of this – you’ll broker no argument from me!

They call this the “remarkable exception” in their portfolio, as they traditionally focus on pinot noir and pinot-based cuvees, but I prefer to call this 100% chardonnay, from all Premier Cru and Grand Cru sites in the Côte des Blancs, exceptionally remarkable. The house uses only the first pressed juice and then divvies up different parcels into stainless steel vats and wooden barrels for fermentation. The steel fermentations are allowed to undergo malolactic for added texture, while the barrel fermentations are strictly prohibited from doing so. 

This creates a dichotomous wine that is simultaneously vibrantly fresh and lusciously round, with a flavor profile that is every bit as diverse. The pale golden wine hits the glass and immediately exhibits aromas of white flowers, orange zest, ripe pears, crumbled chalk, and toasted almonds. In the mouth, a delicate balance of citrine zip and stone fruit sweetness manifests, with buttery nougat and pastry dough notes. A bright vein of stony minerality carries the wine into a lengthy and pure finish – leaving a vigorously clean slate ready to embrace a bite of food or another elegant sip!

Aged for over seven years on the lees, and then finished with an Extra Brut level dosage of 4.25 grams per liter – this compelling Blanc de Blancs is a surprising hallmark that is worthy of the best wines of the Côte des Blancs. Only about 10 cases available...so grab yours while we’ve got it!