Maison Philipponnat’s Clos des Goisses comes from one of the few enclosed sites of the Champagne region. The 1998 vintage is 65% Pinot Noir and 35% Chardonnay.



Label — Copyright Per Kamperin

Despite extremely contrasted weather conditions, the 1998 Clos de Goisses is a powerful, rich champagne. This intense golden champagne revealed interesting and complex aromas of ripe white fruits, flowers, mineral, some biscuits and, surpringly, a slight hint of mushrooms. Slightly oxidative with a long finish. This wine still needs time, but is definitely complete already, just between ”freshness” and ”maturity”.



Bottle — Copyright Per Kamperin

Winemakers notes (general):

Clos des Goisses is the most powerful of all Champagnes. It is produced using grapes grown on a unique, pure chalk hillside with a 45° slope facing due south, in Mareuil-sur-Ay. Its name certainly reveals its true nature; in the old Champagne dialect, Gois or Goisse means a very steep slope. This is always a vintage wine with a very low dosage. Vinified mainly in wooden casks with no malolactic fermentation, it is distinctively full-bodied with an exceptionally long finish. A very great wine as well as being a very great Champagne, Clos des Goisses is specifically intended as an accompaniment to haute cuisine. Mineral and intense, it makes an unforgettable match for dishes with strong flavours: game, truffles, caviar and cheese.



In the Box — Copyright Per Kamperin

WA (2008):

The estate’s 1998 Clos des Goisses could not possibly be more different than the 1999. This is a wonderfully dense, richly-textured Clos des Goisses with a deep, baritone-like expression of fruit. Ripe apricots, honey and flowers flow from the glass, followed by suggestions of smoke, mint and minerals that add further complexity as the wine opens up in the glass. This is a powerful, masculine Clos des Goisses that will repay cellaring although it is awfully hard to resist even at this early stage. The 1998 Clos des Goisses is 65% Pinot Noir and 35% Chardonnay, partially fermented in oak. This bottle was disgorged in March 2007. Anticipated maturity: 2008–2023.