Champagne is in the blood of the Philipponnat family, and not just because they’ve lived in the region for generations. The one who started it all was Apvril le Philipponnat who owned vines between Aÿ and Dizy back in 1522, the founding year of Champagne Philipponnat. And then in the 16th century, the court of King Louis XIV called upon the house to provide wines and to use the house’s expertise. The city of Aÿ was practically built by the Philipponnat family as it was dependent on the Crown since the era of the counts of Champagne. I’m sure you can gather from this that this family and house are pretty important in the sparkling wine world – namely Champagne – and they continue to stay relevant to this day. 

Today, the estate is run by Charles Philipponnat – the latest generation of the enduring and historic Champagne family. He took over running the estate in 1999, and Champagne 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. So I think we can all agree – there is simply no questioning the family’s pedigree! 

Philipponnat  farms 20 hectares of vines that are split among a few premier and grand cru villages in Champagne: Aÿ, Mareuil-sur-Aÿ and Avenay. This rosé bottling also includes fruit from the outstanding, yet underrated village of Les Riceys in Champagne’s southernmost region, the Côte des Bars area of the Aube. This release is a base of the 2019 vintage, made up of 69% pinot noir, 29% chardonnay, and 2% meunier, with 27% reserve wine aged in barrel. The cuvée ages for three years on the lees, and the balance achieved is simply breathtaking! It enters the glass a clear and subtle salmon rose pink, with a delicate mouse and low intensity of effervescence. Aromas of shortbread biscuits and macerated strawberries waft from the glass, with accents of poached plums and a fresh chervil grassiness. The first sip leads with mineral intensity of river rocks and crumbled granite, followed by black cherries, orange creamsicle, and salted watermelon rind. This is incredibly precise and impressively tense, with just enough fruitiness to present itself as welcoming, all the while never foregoing the inherent complexity and seriousness of this powerful rosé. Absolutely, undeniably great stuff – but never nearly as much as we’d like! Make a few of these yours, and you won’t be disappointed!